C. Kaya et al., Phosphorus and acid phosphatase enzyme activity in leaves of tomato cultivars in relation to zinc supply, COMM SOIL S, 31(19-20), 2000, pp. 3239-3248
Tomato cultivars Blizzard and Liberto were grown hydroponically in a contro
lled temperature (C.T.) room for 35 days. The objective was to investigate
the relationship between phosphorus (P) concentration and acid phosphatase
enzyme [EC.3.1.3.2.] (APE) activity in leaves in relation to zinc (Zn) conc
entration in nutrient solution. Zinc was added at concentrations of 0.01, 0
.5, and 5 mg L-1. The 0.01 and 5 mg L-1 Zn treatments led to a significant
reduction in dry matter and total chlorophyll content compared with 0.5 mg
L-1 for both cultivars. Zinc concentration was considered inadequate in the
leaves of plants subjected to 0.01 mg L-1 Zn, while it was at toxic level
in those in the 5 mg L-1 Zn treatment according to values stated for tomato
plants. Optimal results for all criteria tested in this experiment were fo
r plants grown in 0.5 mg L-1 Zn treatment. In the leaves of plants grown at
0.01 mg L-1 Zn, APE concentrations were significantly the lowest and conce
ntrations of P were at a toxic level. The APE activity was noticeably highe
r in the P-deficient plants of both cultivars grown in the solutions with h
igh Zn (5 mg L-1).