Spatiotemporal changes of nitrate and Vc contents in hydroponic lettuce treated with various nitrogen-free solutions

Abstract

Nowadays, off-season leafy vegetables are generally characterized by low vitamin C (Vc) content and high nitrate accumulation due to low light intensity inner protected systems and high-level nitrogen supply. A glasshouse experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of three kinds of nitrogen-free solution treatments before harvest on Vc and nitrate contents in expanded leaf blades, expanded leaf petioles and old leaves of hydroponic lettuce. The results showed that using nitrogen-free solutions could decrease nitrate contents of expanded leaf blades, expanded leaf petioles and old leaves, also nitrate contents in above parts reduced increasingly with treatment time extending. In addition, three nitrogen-free solution treatments increased the Vc content of expanded leaf blades instead of expanded leaf petioles and old leaves. There were instead of significant positive correlations between nitrate contents but Vc contents of expanded leaf blades, expanded leaf petioles and old leaves. To conclude, nitrogen disruption treatment before harvest could effectively reduce nitrate contents in edible parts of lettuce, and also improve Vc content in expanded leaf blade.     

营养液浓度对水培生菜生长和硝酸盐积累的影响

该文研究了4种营养液浓度处理(山崎生菜配方的1/4(1/4s)、1/2(1/2s)、1(1s)和2(2s)单位)对水培生菜(品种为“弘农”和“绿领”)生长、硝酸盐积累和品质的影响。结果表明,1/2单位营养液浓度处理下生菜地上部和根的鲜重、叶长和叶宽最大,而2个单位营养液浓度处理下上述指标最小。不同营养液浓度处理下叶片硝酸盐积累的高低顺序为2s>1s>1/2s>1/4s,2个单位营养液浓度处理下生菜生长发育后期叶片中的SOD活性和M DA含量最高。对采收时生菜品质的分析表明,生菜体内的硝酸盐含量随着营养液浓度的增加而迅速上升,2个单位营养液浓度处理下生菜叶片中硝酸盐、可溶性糖和可溶性蛋白质R含量最高。综合考虑产量和品质,采用1/2单位的山崎生菜配方是适合生菜水培的营养液配方。     

Effect of NO3 and NH4 concentrations in nutrient solution on yield and nitrate concentration in seasonally grown leaf lettuce

The effect of suboptimal supply of nitrogen (N) and of replacing nitrate in the nutrient solution with ammonia on growth, yield, and nitrate concentration in green and red leaf lettuce was evaluated over two seasons (autumn and spring) using multiple regression analysis. The plants were grown in a greenhouse on a Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) system. Nitrogen concentrations in the nutrient solution were either 3?mM or 12?mM, and the form of N was varied as follows: 100% NO₃, 50% NO₃?+?50% NH₄, and 100% NH₄. In both seasons, the biomass (fresh weight) of lettuce heads increased with increasing NO₃ concentrations and in autumn, NO₃ even at 1.5?mM was sufficient for high yield. However, head dry weight was affected neither by the season nor by changes in the composition of the nutrient solution. The concentration of NO₃ had no effect on root dry weight, but it decreased at higher concentrations of NH₄. The number of leaves increased as the ratio of NO₃ to NH₄ in the nutrient solution increased and was higher in autumn because of the longer growth period. Increasing the concentration of NO₃ in nutrient solution increased both total N and nitrate concentration in lettuce heads (dry weight) but decreased the concentration of total C. Also, leaf nitrate concentration was lower in spring than in autumn and decreased with increasing NH₄ concentration. Nitrogen utilization efficiency was maximum when NH₄ levels in the nutrient solution were either 0% or 50% irrespective of the season. Our results thus show that suboptimal N supply in autumn will not affect lettuce yield, and that nitrate concentration in leaves is lower when NH₄ concentrations in nutrient solution are higher and also much lower in red lettuce than in green lettuce.     

Comparisons of commercial organic and chemical fertilizer solutions on growth and composition of lettuce

The objective of this experiment was to assess the effects of organic or chemical nutrient solutions on the growth and composition of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) in greenhouse production. Hoagland and Arnon nutrient solution, an organic hydroponics solution, and no fertilization were factored with lettuce cultivars of different phenotypes, iceberg, romaine, loose head, and loose leaf. Lettuce growth was higher with Hoagland and Arnon solution than with the organic fertilizer or with no fertilization. The organic fertilizer increased growth above no fertilizer applied. Hoagland and Arnon solution gave the highest concentration of nitrogen, potassium, magnesium, and iron in the lettuce whereas lettuce grown with the organic fertilizer had the highest phosphorus. Plant nutrient accumulation differed slightly among the cultivars. Hoagland and Arnon solution produced high nitrate in leaves. Nitrate concentrations with organic or no fertilization were low. Loose head or loose leaf cultivars had higher nitrate than romaine or iceberg.     

间作对气雾培生菜生长和硝酸盐积累的影响

该文对生菜与樱桃萝卜间作和生菜单作模式下气雾培生菜相关指标进行了对比研究,并结合营养液中矿质元素含量的变化规律进一步分析了生菜与樱桃萝卜间作模式下生菜地上部分硝酸盐积累的主因素。结果表明：生菜与樱桃萝卜间作有利于提高生菜地上部分鲜质量,促进生菜叶片的展开以及生菜植株根总长度、根系表面积和根系体积等植株根系形态学参数的增大;生菜与樱桃萝卜间作增加了生菜SPAD值、净光合速率、气孔导度和蒸腾速率等光合指标,而对胞间CO2浓度无明显规律性影响;生菜与樱桃萝卜间作不同程度地降低了生菜硝酸盐含量,随着气雾培时间的推进,总体呈先降低后增加的趋势,而硝酸还原酶活性的变化趋势与硝酸盐含量的变化趋势相反;进行相关性分析得出,生菜与樱桃萝卜间作模式下生菜硝酸盐含量降低主要是由于硝酸还原酶活性的增加导致的,并且营养液中硝态氮消耗量、铵硝比和锰消耗量对硝酸还原酶活性影响较大,相关系数分别为0.882、0.762和0.851。研究结果揭示了生菜与樱桃萝卜间作模式对气雾培生菜生长和硝酸盐积累的影响,并探究了该模式下生菜硝酸盐积累的主因素,为生菜与樱桃萝卜间作模式的作用机理研究提供一定的理论基础。     

营养液浓度对水培生菜生长和硝酸盐积累的影响

该文研究了4种营养液浓度处理(山崎生菜配方的1/4(1/4s)、1/2(1/2s)、1(1s)和2(2s)单位)对水培生菜(品种为“弘农”和“绿领”)生长、硝酸盐积累和品质的影响。结果表明，1/2单位营养液浓度处理下生菜地上部和根的鲜重、叶长和叶宽最大，而2个单位营养液浓度处理下上述指标最小。不同营养液浓度处理下叶片硝酸盐积累的高低顺序为2s>1s>1/2s>1/4s，2个单位营养液浓度处理下生菜生长发育后期叶片中的SOD活性和MDA含量最高。对采收时生菜品质的分析表明，生菜体内的硝酸盐含量随着营养液浓度的增加而迅速上升，2个单位营养液浓度处理下生菜叶片中硝酸盐、可溶性糖和可溶性蛋白质R 含量最高。综合考虑产量和品质，采用1/2单位的山崎生菜配方是适合生菜水培的营养液配方。     

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) growth,yield and quality response to nitrogen fertilization in a non-circulating hydroponic system

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of nitrogen fertilization rate on growth and quality of leafy lettuce grown during the winter season in non-circulating hydroponic system. Plants were subjected to seven nitrogen (N) concentrations, i.e. 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 mg L^?1 N using ammonium nitrate. Nitrogen treatments did not have a significant effect on leaf fresh and dry mass, root fresh and dry mass, number leaves and leaf area. Leaf ascorbic acid and total phenolic content, and antioxidant capacity peaked at 100 and 120 mg L^?1 N, whereas leaf chlorophyll concentration linearly increased with increasing N application. The results indicate that a solution N concentration of 100 and 120 mg L^?1 may be sufficient to improve growth, yield and quality parameters of leafy lettuce grown in non-circulating hydroponic system.     

Multilayer Perceptron Neural Network Approach to Estimate Chlorophyll Concentration Index of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.)

Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for greenhouse-grown lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.); however, excessive nutrient availability causes disease and detrimental effects on the leaf and root development. In this study, nitrogen content of the lettuce leaves was estimated by determining the chlorophyll concentrations of the leaves using image processing technique. The Hoagland solution was used as a fertilizer in five different doses (control, quarter of the solution, half of the solution, standard solution, and two times more of the solution). Multilayer perceptron neural network (MLPNN) model was developed based on the red, green, and blue components of the color image captured to estimate chlorophyll content and chlorophyll concentration index (SPAD values). According to the obtained results, the MLPNN model was capable of estimating the lettuce leaf chlorophyll content with a reasonable accuracy. The coefficient of determination was 0.98, and mean square error was 0.006 in validation process.     

短期连续光照下水培生菜品质指标变化及其关联性分析

以温室自然光照下水培20 d的生菜为试验材料, 研究其在72 h连续光照下叶片和叶柄中硝酸盐、可溶性糖及Vc含量的变化规律及其关联性。结果表明: 在72 h的连续光照下, 生菜叶片和叶柄中的硝酸盐含量大幅度降低, 但在不同光照时期降低速度各不相同, 叶片和叶柄中的硝酸盐含量分别在连续光照24 h和48 h后趋向于稳定; 而可溶性糖和Vc含量以近似恒定的速度快速提高, 其增速在72 h后并未表现出变缓趋势。可溶性糖在叶片和叶柄中的分布无显著差异, 但叶片中的Vc含量显著高于叶柄。无论是在叶片还是叶柄中, 硝酸盐含量与可溶性糖及Vc含量均呈极显著负相关。短期连续光照可实现生菜低硝酸盐与高可溶性糖及Vc的统一, 显著提高了生菜的综合品质。     

Uptake of Boron by Kiwifruit Plants Under Various Levels of Shading and Salinity

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted. In the first one, kiwifruit plants were grown in sand/perlite mixtures and irrigated with modified Hoagland's nutrient solutions containing two boron (B) concentrations (0.025 and 0.2 mM) combined with four levels of salinity (0.75, 2, 4, and 6 dS m^?1). Certain growth parameters and B concentration of the various plant parts were investigated. The highest level of salinity imposed was toxic for kiwifruit plants. Significant correlations (significance 0.000***) were found between B and salinity levels of the nutrient solutions and shoot height, mean shoot fresh weight, number of new leaves, mean leaf fresh weight, B concentration of upper leaves, basal leaves, 2-year old shoots and roots of kiwifruit plants. By increasing salinity level, the B concentration of leaves decreased when B concentration in solution was 0.2 mM. In another experiment, the nutrient solutions contained three B concentrations (0.025, 0.15, and 0.3 mM) and the plants were subjected to shading (100, 70, and 30% of full sunshine). Regression analysis indicated that significant correlations were found between B and shading (independent variables) and shoot height, mean shoot fresh weight, number of new leaves, B concentration of various plant organs (significance 0.000***) and mean leaf fresh weight (significance 0.018*).     

液培条件下氮素形态和化控技术对蔬菜硝酸盐累积的影响

以生菜和青菜作为供试材料,在液培条件下,研究了不同形态N素对蔬菜硝酸盐累积的影响,同时观测了叶面喷施两种低硝酸化剂的化控技术对降低蔬菜硝酸盐积累的效果.研究结果表明:N素形态对生菜的生长和硝酸盐的积累影响显著,而对青菜的影响不显著;相同形态N素供应时,青菜叶片中硝酸盐含量显著高于生菜中的含量,硝酸盐的积累取决于不同蔬菜品种的遗传特性.青菜和生菜叶面喷施两种低硝酸化剂对降低蔬菜中硝酸盐含量的作用不显著.     

Nitrogen uptake efficiency of finger millet grown in hydroponic culture

The optimum nitrogen requirement along with nitrogen uptake efficiency of finger millet (Eleusine coracana) for obtaining plants of a high phenotypic quality was studied in this research using hydroponic culture. 20 days old seedlings were transferred in nutrient solution containing all the essential macro and micro nutrients. Plants were subjected to three treatments of nitrate viz. 0.05 mM, 0.1 mM and 0.5 mM by dissolving it in the nutrient solution. Plants grown in nutrient solution devoid of nitrate were treated as control. Plants grown in 0.5 mM nitrate conc. attained more height compared to other low nitrogen treatments (0.1 mM and 0.05 mM). Similarly plants of 0.5 mM nitrate treatments possessed more number of lateral roots, surface area of leaves, dry weight of plants and chlorophyll content compared to other low nitrogen treatments. Specific activity of nitrate reductase in plants treated with 0.5 mM concentration was found nearly 3 times higher than that of control plants; similarly, specific activity of nitrite reductase in 0.5 mM treated plants was also high compared to other low nitrogen treatments followed by control. The results of the present investigation therefore indicate that nitrogen uptake efficiency as revealed by the activities of nitrate reductase and nitrite reductase was high in 0.5 mM nitrate treatment. It also shows that 0.5 mM nitrate is optimum nitrogen concentration for the growth of finger millet in hydroponic condition.     

The effect of chloride and sulphate salts on the nitrate content in lettuce plants (Lactuca sativa L.)

The effect of chloride and sulphate on the nitrate accumulated in lettuce plants (Lactuca sativa L., cv. deci minor) under low light conditions was examined. The plants were grown on a complete nutrient solution for circa 45 days and then chloride was substituted for the nitrate in the nutrient solution. In another experiment, sulphate was substituted for the nitrate in the nutrient solution. Approximately 5 days later a reduction in growth occurred. The nitrate in the plants was not completely exhausted and was very slowly available for reduction both in the leaf blades and midribs. It was immaterial whether sulphate or chloride was substituted for nitrate in the nutrient solution. Chloride was taken up from the solution but sulphate was not. In plants in both treatments, sugars accumulated concomitantly with the decrease in nitrate content.

The actual nitrate reductase activity in the leaf blades decreased several days after the chloride and sulphate treatments began and was negligible on day 12. Nevertheless, the potential nitrate reductase activity of the treated plants was still 50% of the control.

It is suggested that the availability of nitrate from the storage pool is the limiting process for nitrate reductase activity, and is independent of the metabolic demand. For commercial growers it may be of advantage to use hydroponics in which the nitrate can be removed easily several days before harvest, to reduce high nitrate contents in vegetables, particularly under low light conditions.     

Effects of phosphate,nitrate and chloride on calcium,magnesium and manganese content of cigar‐wrapper tobacco

Abstract

Nutrient solutions containing three levels of phosphate, nitrate, and chloride were applied to cigar‐wrapper tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) plants growing in sand culture for a period of 18 days. Concentrations of other nutrient elements in the nutrient solutions were held constant and the solutions were applied to pots as needed to maintain favorable moisture conditions for plant growth. Plants were in the two leaf stage when transplanted and were maintained on a single nutrient solution for 38 days before treatments were started. At the end of an eight weeks growing period, plant leaves were harvested and analyzed for Ca, Mg, and Mn. Dry matter yield was significantly (P=0.01) increased when 2 mM/1 of Ca(NO₃)₂ replaced an equivalent amount of Ca(H₂PO₄)₂ or CaCl₂ in the nutrient solution. Nitrate significantly (P=0.05) increased Ca and Mg content and decreased Mn concentration in leaf tissue in comparison to chloride. Calcium and Mg content were significantly (P=0.05) decreased and Mn content of tobacco leaves was increased by phosphate in comparison to nitrate and chloride.     

遮荫对水稻冠层叶片SPAD值及光合、 形态特性参数的影响

SPAD（soil-plant analysis and development）计是一种快速、 方便、 非破坏性的诊断植物叶片相对叶绿素或氮含量的仪器,与传统的氮营养诊断方法相比,此仪器节省时间、 劳力和资源。本试验通过未遮荫和遮荫的方法观察水稻冠层叶片SPAD值、 叶绿素含量、 叶绿素荧光、 光合参数、 叶片厚度和比叶重（叶片干重除以叶片的面积）等生理形态指标的变化,建立SPAD值与光系统II（PSII）最大量子产量（Fv/Fm）之间的回归关系。结果表明,遮荫条件下,甬优9号(YY9)和丙9363(B9363)冠层叶片变薄、 SPAD值、 叶绿素a/b、 比叶重、 电子传递速率（ETR）降低,但快速光曲线的初始斜率无明显变化; 同时, 遮荫导致了叶片的呼吸速率、 最大净光合(Pmax)、 量子效率、 光补偿点和饱和点降低,表明水稻叶片为适应弱光环境, 降低光合能力、 减少呼吸消耗, 以增加对有限光能的利用。不同光照条件下,水稻冠层叶片SPAD值与PSII的Fv/Fm的回归方程呈指数式关系（YY9 R2=0.896; B9363 R2=0.833）, 表明SPAD计可以快速、 无损、 有效地评估水稻冠层叶片的光合作用进程,当SPAD值小于35时,其光合过程可能处于受损状态。     

Response of Cherry Rootstocks to Boron and Salinity

ABSTRACT

The objective of the present research was to study the effects of boron (B) and potassium chloride (KCl) induced salinity on growth, nutritional status, and chlorophyll content of the cherry rootstocks CAB 6P (Prunus cerasus L.) and Gisela 5 (Prunus cerasus L. × Prunus canescens L.). Plants produced the longest shoots, more leaves, and the greatest fresh weights of shoots and leaves when treated with 0.025 mM B combined with the lower level of salinity (0.75 dS m^?1). CAB 6P plants retained most of their leaves until the end of the experiment, whereas Gisela 5 plants showed higher leaf shedding. Irrigation of plants with solutions containing 0.2 mM B and electrical conductivities (EC) of 4 dS m^?1 resulted in lower leaf chlorophyll contents (SPAD units) when compared with all other treatments. Nitrogen (N) concentrations of leaves from both rootstocks decreased as the EC of the nutrient solution increased from 0.75 to 4 mM. Potassium (K) concentrations of leaves from both rootstocks increased as salinity levels increased.     

Short-Term Effect of Drought and Salinity on Growth and Mineral Elements in Wheat Seedlings

Both drought and salinity cause nutrient disturbance, albeit for different reasons: a decrease in the diffusion rate of nutrients in the soil and the restricted transpiration rates in plants for drought and extreme soil sodium (Na)/calcium (Ca), Na/potassium (K), and chloride (Cl)/nitrate (NO₃) ratios for salinity. The objective of this study was to examine short-term effects of drought and salinity on nutrient disturbance in wheat seedlings. Wheat was grown in a greenhouse in soil under drought and saline conditions for 26 days after sowing. At harvest, shoot biomass and length, and fresh weight and dry weight of the blade and sheath in expanded leaves 3 and 4 and expanding leaf 5 were determined. Mineral elements (K, Ca, magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), nitrogen (N), Na, sulphur (S), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), and manganese (Mn)) in leaf blades and sheaths were also analyzed. At harvest, the reduction in plant height, shoot biomass, and accumulative evapotranspiration under drought was similar to that under salinity as compared with control plants. However, drought decreased the accumulation of all ions in the blade of the youngest leaf 5 compared with the control, whereas there was either an increase or no difference in all ion concentrations under saline conditions. The change in concentration for most ions in the blade and sheath of expanded leaves 3 and 4 varied among control, drought, and salinity plants, which indicated a different competition for nutrients between the sheath and blade of expanded leaves under drought and saline conditions. It can be concluded from this study that ion deficiency might occur in expanding leaves under drought but not saline conditions.     

Effects of different magnesium levels on some morphophysiological characteristics and nutrient elements uptake in Khatouni melons (cucumis melo var. inodorus)

A nutrient solution experiment was carried out to evaluate effects of different magnesium (Mg) concentrations (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 percent of magnesium concentration of Hoagland solution) on growth and physiological characteristics of Iranian melons (Cucumis melo var. inodorus subvar. Khatouni). The experiment was done based on completely randomized design using plastic pots and sand culture. The results showed that SPAD value of leaves, plant leaf number, stem diameter, shoot fresh and dry weight, root fresh weight, chlorophyll b, carotenoids, protein, catalase and peroxidase activities were constantly increased by increasing Mg levels of nutrient solution until 75 or 100% Mg levels, while leaf area, petiole length, internodes length were highest in lower levels of Mg compared to full Mg of nutrient solution. Moreover, the leaf concentrations of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), magnesium, and iron (Fe), but not calcium (Ca), were increased by increasing magnesium concentration to full Hoagland nutrient solution Mg level.     

华北地区采用无机氮测试和植株速测进行夏玉米氮肥推荐

A field experiment with a split-plot design was carried out at Dongbeiwang Farm in Beijing Municipality to establish reliable N fertilizer recommendation indices for summer maize (Zea mays L.) in northern China using the soil Nmin(mineral N) test as well as the plant nitrate and SPAD (portable chlorophyll meter readings) tests. The results showed that Nrnin sollwert (NS) 60 kg N ha^-1 at the third leaf stage and N rate of 40 to 120 kg N ha^-1 at the tenth leaf stage could meet the N requirement of summer maize with a target yield of 5.5-6 t ha^-1. Sap nitrate concentrations and SPAD chlorophyll meter readings in the latest expanded maize leaves at the tenth leaf stage were positively correlated with NS levels, indicating that plant nitrate and SPAD tests reflected the N nutritional status of maize well. Considering that winter wheat subsequently utilized N after the summer maize harvest, the 0-90 cm soil Nmin (74 kg N ha^-1) and apparent N loss (12 kg N ha^-1) in the NS60＋40 treatment were controlled at environmentally acceptable levels. Therefore NS60＋40, giving a total N supply of 100 kg N ha^-1, was considered the optimal N fertilizer input for summer maize under these experimental conditions.     

Comparison between analytical results of plant sap analysis and the dry ashing method for tomato plants cultured hydroponically

Tomato plants (Lycopersicon. esculentum Mill cv. Momotaro) were cultured in nutrient solutions of varying concentrations or of varying nitrate (NO₃) levels. The leaf blades and the main petioles including rachis were collected from the mixture of three successive leaves below each fruit truss at two growth stages. Comparisons were made between the nutrient concentration in the leaf blade and the petiole determined by plant sap analysis, and that in the leaf blade determined by the dry ashing method. Closely correlated relationships were found to exist between the phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) concentrations in the leaf blade and the petiole determined by plant sap analysis, and those in the leaf blade determined by the dry ashing method at two growth stages. For the concentration of potassium (K), there was no correlation between results of plant sap analysis and those determined by the dry ashing method at either growth stage.