It has been reported that leaf colour can indicate the amount and proportion of chlorophyll in leaves which are, in turn, closely related to plant nutrient status. Hence, leaf colour, as a function of chlorophyll content, can be used as an index to diagnose nutrient status. What can be the possible mechanism or how can we estimate or predict the nutrient content of plants by estimating the chlorophyll content. Does plant chlorophyll content have any relationship with the growth of the plant? If yes, how?
In tropical climates like that of ours, chlorophyll never acts as a limiting factor. Chlorophyll can never be used as an index of plant growth and productivity Productivity is a complex trait and it depends on several factors like nutrients, HCO3 ,light activation of enzymes, water, PGR etc. Therefore, chlorophyll content can never be correlated to productity
in case of SPAD reading we relate the N content with the chlorophyll content of the plant. as you know that N is a component of the Chlorophyl and if there is a deficiency it is reflected as chlorosis in leaf. this same principle is used in SPAD with more precision. however this SPAD reading defendant on many factors; plant species, leaf age and supply of other nutrients such as S and Mg to plants. deficiency of S and Mg also reduce the Greenness of the leaf and record low SPAD.
besides above we may be able to get an idea of Mg deficiency in the same way. to determine the concentration of other nutrients you have to do tissue analysis by atomic absorption spectrometer. monovalent cations can be measured through flamephotometry.
the relationship between chlorophyll and growth is exist but cannot be generalized.
In tropical climates like that of ours, chlorophyll never acts as a limiting factor. Chlorophyll can never be used as an index of plant growth and productivity Productivity is a complex trait and it depends on several factors like nutrients, HCO3 ,light activation of enzymes, water, PGR etc. Therefore, chlorophyll content can never be correlated to productity
Yes, Munusamy Vivekanandan, I agree. Some plants remain green even in drought conditions, although their productivity drastically drops.
Chlorophyll is not a index of plant growth and productivity. We cannot judge plant growth by the chlorophyll content. Take for example, if a plant is kept indoor, it increases the production of chlorophyll in order to capture more light in the low lit indoor condition. The high chlorophyll does not imply that the plant is healthy. It is just a way plant cope up to the low lit conditions. This is just one example. There are many such examples where the plant increases or decreases the chlorophyll levels. Dr. Munusamy has said it well.
regards.
Thank you all for your valuable views. I have seen many research articles pertaining growth and yield of several horticulture plants, estimating chlorophyll content . What purpose does chlorophyll estimation serve with regard to plant growth ......
Dear Naseer,
The presence of nitrogen in soil and chlorophyll in plants are directly related. Therefore, chlorophyll may be used as an indirect indicator of nitrogen levels in fertilizer management . Although this method is not an exact procedure, it gives an approximate idea on the levels of nitrogen. There are many reasons for the increase and decrease of chlorophyll in plants. Therefore, estimation of chlorophyll may be carried out to determine the nitrogen content in the vegetable crop, rather than the plant growth itself.
Hello. Of course Chl index, N content and growth may correlate, but there is no clear universal relationship between these three parameters in every plant species in any environment.
You may use a Spad choropyll meter or a moré sophisticated instrument, like the Greenseeker to establish the relation between chorophyll and N concentration in crops. In booth case you must develope a calibration curve, that particular for each crop.
Coloration and nutrient content (N) particularly of chickpea can be correlated with chlorophyll fluorescence, see my attached two papers
Article Dudeja,S.S and Poonam C. Singh.(2005) Fast chlorophyll fluor...
Yes, i do agree with Manusamy, Vivek and Prasad. Relationship between Cholorophyll content and Nitrogen does exist but it is difficult to generalise the relation in a single mathematical relation valid for all crops. We may have to develop model for different crops separately.
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