Abstract:
Fox glove (Digitalis purpurea L.) is a biannual herbaceous plant native to Europe. It is used as
an ornamental and has medicinal uses in treatment of cardiac insufficiency. In this study, we
evaluated the effect of NO3
-
:NH4
+
ratio, concentration and pH of the nutrient solution on plant
growth. The experiment was conducted in the Colegio of Postgraduados, Campus Montecillo,
from January to May, 2016. The design was completely randomized with a 23
factorial:
NO3
-
:NH4
+
ratio (100:0, 80:20), nutrient solution concentration (50%, 100%) and pH (5, 7).
Eight treatments with six replications were obtained. We assessed number of leaves, SPAD
readings, NO3
-
concentration, Ca2+ and K+
in petiole extract, plant height, number of shoots, stem
diameter, and plant dry weight. The NO3
-
:NH4
+
ratio 80:20 significantly increased SPAD
readings, Ca2+ concentration, plant height and stem dry weight. The 100% solution significantly
increased the number of leaves, NO3
-
, Ca2+, and K+
concentrations. pH 5 increased significantly
the number of leaves, SPAD readings, NO3
-
concentration, number of shoots, and root, stem and
leaf dry weight. pH 7 significantly increased K+
concentration. The treatment with the
NO3
-
:NH4
+
ratio of 80:20, 100% solution and pH 5 was that which produced significantly higher
values of the variables evaluated. |
