ISHS Acta Horticulturae 747: VIII International Symposium on Protected Cultivation in Mild Winter Climates: Advances in Soil and Soilless Cultivation under Protected Environment
NITRATE SAP AND CHLOROPHYLL METERS AS NITROGEN MONITORING TOOLS FOR ARTICHOKE GROWN IN SAND CULTURE |
| Authors: | M.C. Rodrigo, D. López, N. Carazo, C. Ramos |
| Keywords: | Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus, petiole sap, plant nutrition, tissue analysis, plant nutrition, soilless culture, growth |
| Abstract:
Artichoke in Eastern Spain is often over-fertilized due to its high nitrogen (N) requirements, and this may result in groundwater pollution by nitrate. N fertilisation can be made more efficient if the right crop N indicator is used. In this work, petiole sap nitrate concentration and chlorophyll meter readings in recently mature leaves were tested as artichoke N indicators in plants grown in sand culture. Two methods for quick sap nitrate analysis were assessed: a selective ion meter (Cardy Meter®) and a hand-held reflectometer (RQflex©). The chlorophyll leaf content was measured using a chlorophyll meter (CCM-200). Artichoke plants were grown under greenhouse in containers filled with sand and subjected to five N treatments ranging from deficient to excess N supply. The treatments were applied in a completely randomised block design with four replicates and four plants per replicate. The nitrate sap tests were more sensitive to changes in N application than the chlorophyll meter readings, so they are suggested as a suitable diagnostic tool, for assessing N status in artichoke. | |
Download Adobe Acrobat Reader (free software to read PDF files) | |
