Relation of Desiccating Winds to Fluctuations in Ash Content of Citrus Leaves and Phenomenon of Mottle-Leaf

Abstract

Salts accumulated in citrus leaves during the excessive transpiration in wind storms. The excess salt content of the leaves which survived the wind-storms disappeared during subsequent calm weather. The increase of salt in the leaves was due largely to an increase in the water-soluble portion, especially to increase in Ca. The increased salt content of the leaves aided in protecting them from excessive evaporation. The loss of Ca through wind defoliation resulted in a mottled condition of the next set of leaves, which were small. These were later followed by healthy large leaves. The larger amounts of insoluble N found in injured leaves made it probable that the desiccating wind had produced injury by coagulating the proteins of the leaf cells.