Role of the Zinc Nutritional Status on Main Physiological Bioindicators of the Pecan Tree

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of Zn nutritional status on the content of pigments, nonstructural carbohydrates, foliage proteins and amino acids of the pecan tree, as possible bioindicators of Zn deficiency. The experimental design was completely random with three Zn nutritional statuses: Normal, Intermediate and Deficient, being selected considering visual symptomatology. On all three nutritional statuses, the concentration of photosynthetic pigments was determined as well as of total soluble proteins and amino acids. Obtained results indicate that Zn deficient nutritional status was characterized by minimum photosynthetic pigment, protein concentrations, maximum amino acid and nonstructural carbohydrate concentrations. While the normal Zn nutritional status presented maximum photosynthetic pigments, proteins concentrations, minimum amino acids and carbohydrate concentrations. On the other hand, intermediate Zn nutritional status was characterized by a medium level between the other two Zn nutritional statuses. Finally, we stress the fact that pigments, proteins, amino acids and nonstructural carbohydrates may be good physiological indicators related to Zn nutritional status on pecan trees.

Zinc Nutritional Status on Physiological and Nutritional Indicators, Metabolism of Oxidative Stress, Yield and Fruit Quality of Pecan Tree

“…Zinc deficiency affects the catalytic activity of enzymes and metabolic pathways (Cakmak, 2000;Hafeez et al, 2013). Zinc deficiency is also reflected in change in the levels of amino acids (Acevedo-Barrera et al, 2017).…”