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The uptake of nutrients by sunflower plants ( Helianthus annum ) growing in a continuous flowing culture system, supplied with nitrate or ammonium as nitrogen source
Author(s) -
Kurvits A.,
Kirkby E. A.
Publication year - 1980
Publication title -
zeitschrift für pflanzenernährung und bodenkunde
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.644
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1522-2624
pISSN - 0044-3263
DOI - 10.1002/jpln.19801430203
Subject(s) - sunflower , helianthus annuus , nutrient , nitrogen , dry matter , ammonium , nitrate , phosphorus , agronomy , chemistry , helianthus , dry weight , zoology , horticulture , botany , biology , organic chemistry
Sunflower plants ( Helianthus annuus ) were grown in a continuous flow nutrient system, in which nitrogen was supplied, under controlled pH conditions, in either the NO 3 ‐or NH 4 ‐form. Nutrient uptake and distribution, as well as dry matter production of the plants, was followed over the growth period. The results obtained may be summarized as follows: 1. At all stages in development, growth was somewhat greater in the plants of the NO 3 ‐treatment, but the difference between the two treatments was not large. The similarity in the behaviour of plants in the two nitrogen treatments is discussed in relation to the maintenance of a high pH in the nutrient medium. 2. The mean rates of uptake of Ca, Mg, K, and Na, expressed per unit root length, were all higher in the NO 3 ‐fed plants. For P, the mean rate of uptake was higher in the NH 4 ‐fed plants. 3. The levels of K, Ca, Mg, and Na, per unit dry weight, were higher in the NO 3 ‐fed plants, but for P the converse was true. 4. The higher uptake of Ca and Mg by NO 3 ‐fed plants was reflected in the higher concentrations of these elements in the leaves. In the case of K, accumulation occurred in the roots. 5. From the results of selected harvests, it was found that total nitrogen uptake was higher in the NO 3 ‐fed plants.