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Corn salad ( Valerianella locusta (L.) Laterr.) growth in a water‐saving floating system as affected by iron and sulfate availability
Author(s) -
Iacuzzo Francesco,
Gottardi Stefano,
Tomasi Nicola,
Savoia Elisa,
Tommasi Rita,
Cortella Giovanni,
Terzano Roberto,
Pinton Roberto,
Dalla Costa Luisa,
Cesco Stefano
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
journal of the science of food and agriculture
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 142
eISSN - 1097-0010
pISSN - 0022-5142
DOI - 10.1002/jsfa.4192
Subject(s) - sulfate , chemistry , food science , organic chemistry
BACKGROUND: Unbalanced nutrient availability causes disequilibrated plant growth, which can result in a worsening of harvested product quality, such as high nitrate content in edible tissues. To cope with this problem, improved knowledge of the mechanisms involved in nutrient acquisition and regulation is necessary. For this purpose the responses of acquisition mechanisms of N, Fe and S were studied as a function of Fe and S availability using two corn salad cultivars grown hydroponically, considering also aspects related to N metabolism. RESULTS: The results showed that an increase in Fe or S availability enhanced nitrate uptake and assimilation, which in turn increased biomass production of leaves with lower nitrate content. In particular, high S availability exerted a positive effect (gene expression and functionality) both on the uptake and metabolism of N and on Fe acquisition mechanisms. CONCLUSION: The data presented here show close interactions between N, S and Fe, highlighting that relevant improvements in yield and quality from soilless culture might also be obtained through appropriate adjustments of nutrient availability. In this respect, concerning the role of S in the acquisition mechanisms of N and Fe and in N metabolism, its level of availability should be taken into high consideration for equilibrated plant growth. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry