Photosynthetic parameters change in Lycopersicon esculentum leaves under nutrient deficiencies

Lycopersicon esculentum leaves cultivated hydroponically for 24 and 48 hrs with various specific mineral deficits had their photosynthetic characteris-tics examined. After 24 hrs of K+, NO3-, and PO42-deficiency, a substantial in-duction of net photosynthetic rate was observed. The net photosynthetic rate of SO42-, Mg2+, Fe2+, NO3-, Ca2+ and PO42-deficits was significantly induced by the 48 hr exposure. After 24 hrs of deficiencies in SO42-, Mg2+, Fe2+, NO3-, Ca2+ and PO42-, stomata conductance was dramatically increased. Deficien-cies in SO42-, Fe2+, NO3-, Ca2+ and PO42-were continuously induced over 48 hrs. After 24 hrs of SO42-, Fe2+, NO3-, Ca2+ and PO42-deficiencies, intercellular CO2 concentration shows a considerable induction. After 48 hrs of K+, SO42-, Mg2+ and NO3-deficits, this behavior remained strongly induced. Water use effi-ciency considerably decreased in response to these changes after 24 hrs of SO42-, Fe2+, NO3- and PO42-deficiencies and this effect continued after 48 hrs of Mg2+, NO3-, Ca2+ and PO42-deficiencies. Deficits in K+, SO42-, Mg2+, Fe2+, NO3-, Ca2+ and PO42-for 24 hrs dramatically increased transpiration rate, which was modified by those deficiencies. A 48 hr exposure to NO3-, Ca2+ and PO42-deficiency dramatically increased the transpiration rate. After 48 hrs, an SO42-deficit drastically decreased the transpiration rate. The findings indi-cate that after a short term of exposure, it may be possible to diagnose a specific mineral shortage and determine which mineral influenced the pa-rameters of photosynthesis in such a way that the selected parameters re-sponded in a manner that was consistent with the duration of exposure.