Nitrogen fertilization under saline conditions in tomato and cucumber plants |
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Authors: | A Cerda V Martinez |
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Institution: | Department of Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition, C.E.B.A.S., Apdo 195, Murcia, Spain |
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Abstract: | SummaryTomato (Lycopersicon esculentum, Mill.) and cucumber (Cucumis sativus, L.) seedlings were grown in a growth chamber in 4 litre containers filled with nutrient solutions. Four experiments were conducted with four NaCl levels factorially combined with four N levels. The concentrations of NaCl were 4, 25, 50, and 100 mmol l?1 and 4, 16, 32, and 64 mmol l?1 in the tomato and cucumber experiments respectively. The N levels in allexperiments were 2, 6, 10 and 15 mmol l?1 added as NO3? or as NH4+ + NO3? (2:1). Salinity had a statistically significant negative effect on all responses considered, although the effect was N source-dependent. Addition of N enhanced development of shoot and root dry weights of both species. The optimum N concentration in the nutrient solution varied between 6 and 10 mmol l?1, although the most appropriate N fertilizer varied with species. Leaf Cl? concentration decreased in both species when NO3? was used as the N source, whereas it increased in the comparative tissues of plants fed with NH4+ + NO3?. The effect of treatments on the other nutrients show effects of excess of NaCl, as the form of N source interferes with the uptake of essential nutrients which may cause nutritional disorders. |
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