EFFECT OF MANGANESE DEFICIENCY UPON THE HISTOLOGY OF LYCOPERSICUM ESCULENTUM

Abstract

Tomato plants were grown in pyrex beakers of purified nutrient soln. containing the necessary trace elements. Mn deficiency resulted in a chlorosis of the loaves followed by the development of necrotic areas. Mn-deficient leaves are thinner and have smaller palisade cells than control leaves. The plastids of deficient leaves became yellowish green, gradually lost their starch grains, became vacuolated, then granular, and finally disintegrated into a brown mass. With a loss of starch grains went an increase in fat and Ca oxalate crystals. Many of these changes have been reported for plants grown with a toxic amt. of Mn. Frequently the young leaves of deficient plants wilted. Deficient stems are smaller in diam. and many of the xylem cells in there are plugged with Ca oxalate crystals and coagulated material.