Visual Symptoms, Vegetative Growth, and Mineral Concentration in Fig Tree (Ficus carica L.) Under Macronutrient Deficiencies

Abstract

The common fig is an edible fruit which is appreciated for its organoleptic characteristics and high commercial value. Several factors, including mineral nutrition, affect fig production. Macronutrients fulfill specific functions in the metabolism of plants, affecting some functions when they are at low levels. So, in the present investigation, the visual symptoms of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium deficiencies were identified and characterized, as well as their effects on vegetative growth and the concentration of minerals in fig tree tissues, using the missing element technique in a controlled hydroponic system. N was the element that most affected vegetative growth, causing smaller stem diameter, leaf area, and dry weight. Treatments without P and K followed. In addition, significant differences were found in the mineral concentration in leaf, stem, and root, with various interactions of antagonism and synergism observed according to the absence of each element.

Physicochemical characteristics, minerals, phenolic compounds, and antioxidant capacity in fig tree fruits with macronutrient deficiencies

“…The aforementioned effects are explained because the plant tends to balance ionic charges inside the cells, so that, as there is a low concentration of K + and Ca ++ ions, a greater accumulation of Fe ++ , Mn ++ ions occurs, Zn ++ and Cu ++ , all of them cations, as well as K + and Ca ++ (Mengel et al, 2001). Results found in the present investigation coincide with those reported by Garza-Alonso et al (2019), where similarities were observed in the behavior of minerals in the tissues of the fig tree in the absence of macronutrients.…”

“…For the fig tree, Garza-Alonso et al (2019) reported the effects of deficiency of N, P, K, Ca, and Mg on the vegetative growth and minerals concentration in leaf, root, and stem; however, few studies have been conducted on the effects of macronutrient deficiencies in the quality of fig fruits. Esref et al (2008) studied the effects of different doses of Ca, where the average fruit weight decreased from 16.24 to 14.43 g when this element was not applied, which also produced a 34% reduction in yield per plant.…”

Cations and Phenolic Compounds Concentrations in Fruits of Fig Plants Exposed to Moderate Levels of Salinity

“…In our current work, we confirmed that a concentration of 100 mM NaCl was well tolerated for four weeks since proline concentration, shoot, and fruit growth were similar to those of controls. Moreover, mineral elements in the control plant are in line with data measured in fig fruit [36] and other fig organs [37]. On the other hand, Na + was massively accumulated in the root tissue and increased in all organs but not in the leaf.…”

The role of red mud and cow manure for sustainable post-gold mining land rehabilitation

“…As illustrated in Table 4, there exist substantial to notably significant correlations between metrics of plant height and stem diameter in relation to these macronutrients, with the correlation coefficients (r) delineating total N=0.88**, available P=0.69*, exchangeable K=0.85**, and again for available P=0.78** and exchangeable K=0.88**. The vegetative growth of plants (plant height and stem diameter) is influenced by the high Nitrogen content (Garza-Alonso et al, 2019;Longnecker, 2021) as Nitrogen functions to increase leaf quantity and area, thereby affecting photosynthesis (Chang et al, 2020;Croft et al, 2017;Ren et al, 2018). Phosphorus plays a role in protein synthesis and cell division, promoting tissue development (Saleem et al, 2020;Zhang et al, 2023).…”