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The Ultrastructure of Chloroplasts in Mineral-deficient Maize Leaves ^1,2

^a Department of Biological Sciences and Laboratory for Applications of Remote Sensing, Purdue University, Lafayette, Indiana 47907

The ultrastructure of mesophyll chloroplasts in full-nutrient and mineral-deficient maize (Zea mays) leaves was examined by electron microscopy after glutaraldehyde-osmium tetroxide fixation. Nitrogen, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and sulfur deficiencies were induced by growing the plants in nutrient culture. Distinctive chloroplast types were observed with each deficiency. Chloroplasts from nitrogen-deficient plants were reduced in size and had prominent osmiophilic globules and large grana stacks. Magnesium deficiency was characterized by the accumulation of osmiophilic globules and the progressive disruption of the chloroplast membranes. In calcium deficiency, the chloroplast envelope was often ruptured. Chloroplasts from potassium- or phosphorus-deficient plants possessed an extensive system of stroma lamellae. Sulfur deficiency resulted in a pronounced decrease of stroma lamellae, an increase in grana stacking, and the frequent occurrence of long projections extending from the body of the chloroplast. These morphological changes were correlated with functional alterations in the chloroplasts as measured by photosystem I and II activities. In chloroplasts of the nitrogen- and sulfur-deficient plants an increase in grana stacking was associated with an increase in photosystem II activity.

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¹ This research was supported by National Institute of General Medical Sciences Career Grant K6-21839 (F.L.C.) and Training Grant GM01392 (J.D.H.), National Science Foundation Grant GB5701 (R.B.), United States Department of Agriculture Contract 12-14-100-10292(20) (A.H.A.), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration Grant NGR 15-005-112 (A.H.A.).

² Journal paper No. 4739, Purdue University, Agricultural Experiment Station.

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