Iron chlorosis in grafted sweet orange (Citrus sinensis L.) plants: Physiological and biochemical responses

Abstract

Fe deficiency was imposed in Citrus sinensis L. cultivars Valencia and New Hall grafted on C. aurantium and Swingle citrumelo rootstocks by the absence of Fe (-Fe) or by the presence of bicarbonate in the Hoagland nutrient solution. In Fe-deprived leaves total and active Fe concentration, and peroxidase and catalase activities were decreased while the ratios carotenoids/chlorophylls, P/Fe, and K/Ca were increased. Fe(III) chelate reductase activity was induced in (-Fe)-treated roots whereas it was depressed in bicarbonate-treated roots.