Work

Nitrogen and Potassium in Nutrient Solution Influence Seedling Growth of Four Vegetable Species

Year: 1988

Type: article

Abstract: Broccoli ( Brassica oleracea L. var. Italica), celery ( Apium graveolens L.), lettuce ( Lactuca sativa L.), and pepper ( Capsicum annuum L.) seedlings were grown in multicells and fertilized with complete nutrient solutions at two N rates (150 or 350 mg·liter −1 ) and three K rates (50, 200, or 350 mg·liter −1 ) in factorial combination. Shoot growth of all species was enhanced at higher N rates but root growth decreased. Broccoli leaf area and shoot dry weight increased curvilinearly with K rate with a maximum at 200 mg·liter −1 . For celery K rates increased leaf area linearly. The effect of K rates on growth characteristics was generally a function of the N status and differed among species, celery being the least affected. Under the high N rate, maximum percentage of shoot dry matter, root dry weight, and root:shoot dry weight ratio, as well as minimum specific leaf area of broccoli were obtained with the intermediate K rate. Increasing K rates under high N status enhanced both lettuce leaf area and dry matter accumulation. For pepper, this caused leaf expansion and resulted in more succulent plants.

Source: HortScience

DOI: 10.21273/hortsci.23.6.1018

Authors: Nicolas Tremblay, Michel Senécal

Institution: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Language: English

Topic: Growth and nutrition in plants

Subfield: Plant Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Zero hunger

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,000