Morphogenetic Effects of Different Mineral N-compounds on Roots of Maize (Zea mays L.), Spring Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and Broad Bean (Vicia faba L.)

Plants of maize ( Zea mays L.), spring barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.) and broad bean ( Vicia faba L.) were raised in tubes filled with a soil-sand mixture and supplied with nutrient solution. The nutrient supply was varied with regard to concentration and typ of compound of "N". Due to the relatively high concentrations of "N", dry matter of shoots and roots was reduced in comparison to the control; root morphology was affected in terms of root length and root thickness. The N-compounds, used in the experiment, exerted quantitatively different influences on dry matter production and root morphology, NH₄NO₃ being the N-form which had the weakest detrimental effects. There was no specific response to NH⁺₄ or NO⁻₃ but a strong influence could be shown for NH₄Cl and N_aNO₃. Probably not only the concentration of "N" and the form of "N" have a specific influence, but also the cations and anions associated with the N-containing ion are effective.