Zinc deficiency affects physiological and anatomical characteristics in maize leaves

Abstract

Zinc (Zn) is an essential microelement involved in several plant physiological processes. Therefore, it is important to identify Zn deficiencies promptly--before extensive damage occurs to the plant. The diagnostic tools that are used to identify Zn deficiencies are very important in areas where Zn deficiencies occur. Such diagnostic tools are vital for nutritional management and fertilizer recommendations. The current study investigated the effects of Zn deficiency on maize plants by recording a number of physiological and anatomical parameters. A Zn omission trial (from 0 to 22 days) was carried out to produce plants that had varying degrees of Zn deficiency. Typical symptoms of Zn deficiency (e.g. chlorotic stripes and purple shades on the edges and leaf sheath) appeared 16 days after the omission of Zn from nutrient solutions. As the time of Zn omission increased, there were significant decreases in net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, maximal efficiency of photosystem I (evaluated by Fv/Fm), biomass (dry weight) and Zn concentrations in plants. Zinc-deficient plants also had a lower vascular bundle proportion coupled with a higher stomata density. These physiological and anatomical changes negatively impacted plant growth. Moreover, they occurred before visible symptoms of Zn deficiency were observed. Zinc concentrations were recorded for younger leaves, rather than for more mature leaves, which is usually recommended for plant analysis. The results demonstrate that the analysis of Zn in young leaves of maize is a very sensitive indicator of Zn status.

An effective antioxidant defense provides protection against zinc deficiency‐induced oxidative stress in Zn‐efficient maize plants

“…3A). Similar decreases in leaf Ψof Zn-deficient plants have been reported earlier (Sharma et al, 1994(Sharma et al, , 1995Khan et al, 2004;Mattiello et al, 2015).…”

Dynamic roles of microRNAs in nutrient acquisition and plant adaptation under nutrient stress: A review

“…Cu plays important roles in plant cellular processes and slight Cu deficiencies could seriously affect plant growth and overall biomass (Shin and Yeh, 2012). Fe deficiency causes retarded vegetative growth and marked yield and quality losses (Abadía et al, 2011), whereas Zn, being a structural component of numerous proteins, affects fundamental physiological processes under its limited availability in plants (Mattiello et al, 2015). Functions of B are largely associated with meristematic tissues, hence, its deficiency principally affects actively growing organs such as shoot and root tips (Hansch and Mendel, 2009).…”

Effects of zinc fertilizer rate and application method on photosynthetic characteristics and grain yield of summer maize

“…Maize is one of the three major world food crops, is recognized as the "golden food" because of its high grain yield and nutrition value, and plays a very important role in the daily calorie intake of humans (WHO). Maize is one of the crops most sensitive to Zn deficiency (Mattiello et al, 2015); Zn deficiency hinders maize growth, resulting in decreased grain yield and quality (Behera et al, 2015).…”