ISHS Acta Horticulturae 614: VI International Symposium on Protected Cultivation in Mild Winter Climate: Product and Process Innovation
DIFFERENTIAL EFFECTS OF N, K, AND CA ON GROWTH OF TOMATO PLANTS DURING NUTRIENT STARVATION AND RECOVERY |
| Authors: | F.M. Del Amor, L.F.M. Marcelis, V. Martinez |
| Keywords: | Lycopersicon esculentum, deficiency, recovery, nitrogen, calcium, and potassium |
| Abstract:
The differential effects of N, K and Ca on fresh weight growth of tomato plants were analysed. Plants were subjected to 1, 3 or 7 days of N, K or Ca starvation followed by a recovery period of 7 days with full strength nutrient solution. Withdrawing N, K or Ca from the nutrient solution resulted, within one day, in a dramatic decrease in fresh weight growth rate. When the starvation period was continued these reductions became more marked. After 7 days of Ca-starvation cumulative plant fresh weight was reduced by 74% compared to control plants. Similar starvation periods for N and K led to reductions of 62% and 43%, respectively. After 1 day of N, K or Ca starvation followed by 7 days of recovery cumulative plant fresh weight was not significantly different from control plants. For all nutrients, after 7 days of starvation plants were unable to recover control values during the subsequent 7 day recovery period. Plant nutrient composition was affected and after 7 days of recovery Ca-starved plants had the greatest decrease. | |
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