ISHS Acta Horticulturae 700: International Symposium Towards Ecologically Sound Fertilisation Strategies for Field Vegetable Production
LEAF CHLOROPHYLL CONTENT MEASUREMENTS FOR NITROGEN FERTILIZATION MANAGEMENT OF CURLED-LEAVED ENDIVES IN OPEN-FIELD |
| Authors: | J.P. Goffart, S. Renard, M. Frankinet, G. Sinnaeve, A. Delvigne, J. Maréchal |
| Keywords: | chlorophyll-meter readings, plant nitrogen status, nitrogen fertilizer splitting, nitrogen top dressing |
| Abstract:
Two open-field trials, with treatments of increasing N fertilizer rates were conducted with curled-leaved endives on Belgian soils in 2002 and 2003. The objective was to assess the usefulness of non-invasive and quick measurements of leaf chlorophyll content as indicator of plant nitrogen status. Such indicator should help deciding on the need for supplemental top dressed nitrogen in the growing period. The instrument used was a hand-held chlorophyll meter (model Hydro N-tester, HNT). In-season HNT measurements are easy to make and able to characterize plant nitrogen status or discriminate between different situations of crop N responses (at least between zero-N and fertilized plots). Good correlations (around 0.85) between HNT measurements and leaf N-uptake have been observed within the period “three to four weeks after planting” which should be considered for decision on the need for supplemental nitrogen. | |
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