Chlorophyll and Protein Interrelationships in Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.

Abstract

Chlorophyll and protein are positively correlated in the green parts of pineapple leaves with adequate nutrition and light. Shortage of Fe, N, or light decreased chlorophyll and protein, but their relation is not affected by the level of K. The chlorophyll/protein ratio in mature green leaves approached Hanson's theoretical value of 0.055, but it was greater in young leaves. Protein-N, rather than soluble organic-N, appears to be directly related to chlorophyll as the protein-N/soluble organic- N ratio is 3:1 in the chlorophyllous part of the leaf and 1:1 in the rest. These results suggest that chlorosis in plants is due to lack of chlorophyll/protein balance due to deficiencies of substances essential for the synthesis of chlorophyll or protein, or to conditions (high Mn) that inhibit such synthesis or the proper operation of the chlorophyll-protein system. Normalcy may be restored by removal of the deficiencies or the adverse conditions