Como os aspectos anatômicos são afetados pela interação entre etileno e fósforo em plantas de tomate?

Abstract

The interaction between mineral nutrients and plant hormones is fundamental to plant growth and development. Among macronutrients, phosphorus (P) plays a key role in metabolic processes, while ethylene acts as a physiological regulator in various adaptive responses. Understanding the interaction between these factors can shed light on anatomical mechanisms associated with plant nutrition and stress.The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the interaction between phosphorus and ethylene on the anatomy of leaves, stems, and roots of tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum cv. Micro-Tom). To this end, greenhouse experiments were conducted using genotypes with contrasting sensitivity to ethylene (WT and Nr), grown under different phosphorus levels. Anatomical analyses were performed through histological sections and observations under optical microscopy. The results showed that P deficiency reduced leaf mesophyll thickness and altered the ratio between palisade and spongy parenchyma. In the stem, changes were observed in cortical thickness and the organization of vascular bundles, while in the roots there was a reduction in total diameter, metaxylem size, and alterations in the endodermis. Additionally, ethylene was found to modulate some of these responses, promoting in certain cases greater tissue thickening and structural reorganization, especially in the roots. It is concluded that the interaction between phosphorus and ethylene significantly influences the anatomy of different tomato plant organs, indicating that ethylene can either mitigate or enhance the effects of P deficiency. These findings contribute to the understanding of integrative mechanisms between mineral nutrition and hormonal regulation, with implications for nutritional management strategies and increased plant resilience.