Effects of substrate type on plant growth and nitrogen and nitrate concentration in spinach

Abstract The effects of three commercial substrates (a mixture of forest residues, composted grape husks, and white peat, black peat and coir) on plant growth and nitrogen (N) and nitrate (NO3) concentration and content were evaluated in spinach (Spinacia oleracea L. cv. Tapir). Spinach seedlings were transplanted at 45 days after emergence into Styrofoam boxes filled with the substrates and were grown during winter and early spring in an unheated greenhouse with no supplemental lighting. Each planting box was irrigated daily by drip and fertilized with a complete nutrient solution. The NO3 content of the drainage water was lower in coir than in the other substrates. However, shoot NO3 concentration was not affected by substrate type, while yield and total shoot N and NO3 content were greater when plants were grown in peat than in the mixed substrate or the coir. Leaf chlorophyll meter readings provided a good indication of the amount of N in the plants and increased linearly with total shoot N. Keywords Spinacia oleracea; chlorophyll meter; coir; peat; soilless culture systems

The influence of nitrogen fertilization on growth, yield, nitrate and oxalic acid concentration in purslane ( Portulaca oleracea )

Purslane (Portulaca oleracea) is widely used for culinary purposes throughout Mediterranean region, and the interest in this plant increased due to it being a source of bio-protective compounds, such as fatty acids and antioxidants. However, the use of purslane could be limited by accumulation of high levels of compounds harmful to human health, such as nitrate and oxalic acid. The main objective of present study was to evaluate the influence of nitrogen fertilization on growth and yield parameters and on nitrate and oxalic acid concentrations in leaves and stems. Plants of golden-leafed purslane of sativa subspecies were grown in styro-foam boxes with substrate and fertilized two times per week during four weeks with ammonium-nitrate solution (16.9% NO3--N and 17.6% NH4+-N), for testing of four nitrogen levels (0, 30, 60 and 90 kg N ha-1). Plant growth, yield, nitrate and oxalic acid concentrations were significantly affected by nitrogen application. The best quantity/quality ratio was achieved at fertilization level of 60 kg N ha-1, which gave a yield of 5.1 kg m-2 FW, while nitrate concentration was 48.98 and 43.90 mg g-1 DW in leaf and stem, respectively, and oxalic acid concentration was 1.27 and 0.55 mg g-1 DW, in leaf and stem, respectively: values which are not harmful for consumer health.

Effects of substrate type on plant growth and nitrogen and nitrate concentration in spinach.

The effects of three commercial substrates (a mixture of forest residues, composted grape husks, and white peat, black peat and coir) on plant growth and nitrogen (N) and nitrate (NO3) concentration and content were evaluated in spinach (Spinacia oleracea L. cv. Tapir). Spinach seedlings were transplanted at 45 days after emergence into Styrofoam boxes filled with the substrates and were grown during winter and early spring in an unheated greenhouse with no supplemental lighting. Each planting box was irrigated daily by drip and fertilized with a complete nutrient solution. The NO3 content of the drainage water was lower in coir than in the other substrates. However, shoot NO3 concentration was not affected by substrate type, while yield and total shoot N and NO3 content were greater when plants were grown in peat than in the mixed substrate or the coir. Leaf chlorophyll meter readings provided a good indication of the amount of N in the plants and increased linearly with total shoot N.

Nitrogen requirements at bulb initiation for production of intermediate-day onions

Nitrogen requirements at bulb initiation for production of intermediate-day onions Article in Acta horticulturae · October 2016 DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2016.1142.11 1st Rui Machado 16.44 · Universidade de Évora 2nd David R. Bryla 30.16 · United States Department of Agriculture Abstract Nitrogen requirements at bulb initiation for production of intermediate-day onions Authors: R.M.A. Machado, D.R. Bryla Keywords: Allium cepa, crop growth, nitrogen uptake, soil nitrate Abstract: The effect of nitrogen application on growth, nitrogen (N) uptake, yield, and quality of intermediate-day onion (Allium cepa 'Guimar') was evaluated in the field in southern Portugal. Plants were fertilized with 30 kg ha-1 N at transplanting, 10 kg ha-1 N at 29 days after transplanting (DAT) during early leaf growth, and with 0, 20, 40 and 60 kg ha-1 N at 51 DAT at the initiation of bulbing. The root system of plants in each treatment were concentrated in the top 0.1 m of soil and limited to 0.3 m depth but neither root length density nor rooting depth were affected by N application during later stages of bulb development. Leaf and bulb dry matter, on the other hand, increased linearly with N rate during bulb growth (85 DAT) and at harvest (114 DAT), respectively. Soil nitrate-N (NO3-N) at 0-0.3 m depth likewise increased linearly with N rate during bulb growth but declined from 15-30 mg kg-1 at bulbing to >10 mg kg-1 in each treatment by harvest. A substantial amount of N in the plants, which ranged from 302-525 mg, was taken up from the soil. Application of 60 kg ha-1 N resulted in luxury consumption. Yield (fresh bulb weight) increased from 0.19 kg plant-1 with no N at bulbing to as much as 0.28 kg plant-1 with 60 kg ha-1 N. Bulbs harvested from plants fertilized 40-60 kg ha-1 N averaged 8.2-8.5 cm in diameter, while those from plants with no N at bulbing averaged only 7.2 cm in diameter. Application of N fertilizer is thus recommended at bulbing to increase N uptake, yield, and bulb size of intermediate-day onions, particularly in dry Mediterranean climates where many onions are produced. Other components of quality, including neck diameter, bulb water content, total soluble solids, and juice pH, were not affect by N applied at bulbing.

Effects of nitrogen level on purslane antioxidant activity.

The high antioxidant activity of purslane, Portulaca oleracea L., gives it a high nutritional and functional value. The commercial production of purslane has increased in Portugal, making it necessary to know the effects of inputs, mainly nitrogen, on the antioxidant activity. The main goal of this study was to evaluate the influence of nitrogen application on purslane antioxidant activity. The experiment was carried out with for treatments: 30, 60 and 90 kg/ha of nitrogen. Plants of golden-leaf purslane were grown in Styrofoam-boxes filled with substrate and fertigated two times per week, over four weeks with ammonium nitrate solution (16.9% NO3-N and 16.7 NH4+-N). The increase in the nitrogen level decreased the water-soluble proteins content. However the ascorbate, phenols content as well as antioxidant activity measured by FRAP method was not affected by nitrogen level. Plants shoot antioxidant activity, measured by DPPH method decreased significantly in the treatment with 90 kg N/ha (26.20 g/g gallic acid). On the other hand, plant shoot antioxidant activity mediated by peroxidases was higher in treatment 30 kg N/ha (0.459 µmol min-1/mg prot.). Application of 60 kg N/ha allowed a vigorous plant growth without disturb its antioxidants and conservation properties.