Journal of Crop Production and Processing

Download citation:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:

---

Nitrogen is usually the most limiting nutrient for crop production. Manganese deficiency in some calcareous soils of Iran has been reported. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of N and Mn on the growth and chemical composition of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) under greenhouse conditions. The experiment was conducted in a soil from Chitgar series (Fine-loamy, carbonatic, thermic, Calcixerollic Xerochrepts). Treatments consisted of factorial arrangement of five N rates (0, 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg kg^-1 as NH₄NO₃) and three Mn rates (0, 15 and 30 mg kg^-1 as MnSO₄) in a completely randomized design with four replications. Plants were allowed to grow for 60 days and a hand-held SPAD-502 chlorophyll meter was used to evaluate leaf chlorophyll status at harvest.

 Results showed that N and Mn application increased shoot dry weight, N and Mn concentrations and total uptake, Mn:Fe ratios and chlorophyll readings, significantly. Nitrogen increased concentrations and total uptake of Zn, Cu and total uptake of Fe in plants, but decreased Fe concentration. Addition of Mn decreased Fe and Zn concentrations in spinach but increased total uptake of Fe and Cu. When maximum dry matter was obtained, the chlorophyll meter reading was about 40. A similar study should be carried out under field conditions before the N and Mn fertilizer recommendations for spinach can be made.

Keywords: Nitrogen, Manganese, Spinach, Chlorophyll, Chlorophyll meter.

Full-Text [PDF 833 kb]   (1843 Downloads)    

Add your comments about this article : Your username or Email:

---