Greener Journal of Agricultural Sciences

Greener Journal of  Agricultural Sciences Vol. 2 (6), pp. 269-278, October 2012

 ISSN: 2276-7770 

Research Paper

Manuscript Number: 09141260

 

The Effect of N-NH₄/N_T Ratios, Spraying Intervals of Nutrient Solution and Light in Root Media on Macro Elements Uptake and Vegetative Traits of Gerbera in Aeroponic Culture

 

Mojtaba Afzali Pour Fereidouni*, Mohsen kafi, Mesbah Babalar, Reza Fatahi, and Hamed Balanian

 

Department of Horticultural Sciences, College of Agriculture, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran

 

*Corresponding Author’s Email: mafzalipour @ yahoo. com

Abstract:

This study was carried out in order to consider aeroponic potential, the effects of four N-NH4+/NT ratio including control (without N-NH4+), 0.03, 0.08, 0.16, spraying intervals of nutrient solution including either three minutes spraying-fifteen minutes off or three minutes spraying-thirty minutes off and darkness or light in root media on macro elements uptake and vegetative traits of Gerbera. The nutrient solution was analyzed after 45 days for some criteria including: amount of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium as well as root length in 15 days intervals (three periods), final root length and leaf number. According to the results root length in second and third periods and final root, were significantly higher in nutrient solution containing N-NH4+/NT ratio 0.03 while the maximum leaf number was observed in nutrient solution containing N-NH4+/NT ratio 0.16, 0.03 and 0.08 respectively. Nitrogen uptake increased in control nutrient solution and in nutrient solution containing N-NH4+/NT ratio 0.03. Phosphorus, potassium and magnesium absorbed higher in nutrient solution containing N-NH4+/NT ratio 0.03, 0.16 and 0.16 respectively. Root length in all three periods, final root length and phosphorus uptake were significantly higher in three minutes spraying-fifteen minutes off treatment, while leaf number and potassium uptake were higher in three minutes spraying-thirty minutes off. Light condition in root media had a significant effect on root length in the first and the third periods as well as the uptake of all elements that measured in this study. Root showed higher growth, in first period in light condition and in third period in darkness.
 
Keywords: Aeroponic; Gerbera; N-NH4+/NT ratio; Nutrient solution

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