Variations in fruit micronutrient contents associated with fertilization of cucumber with macronutrients

• Published in: Scientia horticulturae Vol. 97; no. 2; pp. 121 - 127
• Main Authors: Moreno, Diego A, Vı́llora, Gemma, Romero, Luis
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 31.01.2003; Elsevier
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Bioindicators; Biological and medical sciences; Cucumis sativus; Fertilizers; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General agronomy. Plant production; Generalities. Analysis and diagnosis methods; Micronutrients; Soil-plant relationships. Soil fertility. Fertilization. Amendments; Micronutrients; RN+Zn, Zn induced ribonuclease; CAT, catalase activity; POX, peroxidase activity; DM, dry mass; Fe-EDDHA, ethylene-diamine ( o-hydroxiphenyl) diacetic acid; Bioindicators; Cucumis sativus; FM, fresh mass; Fertilizers; RN, basal ribonuclease; Macronutrient(mineral); Bioindicators: Cucumis sativus; Interelement effect; Cucurbitaceae; Biological indicator; Fruit vegetable; Vegetable crop; Mineral fertilization; Dicotyledones; Angiospermae; Spermatophyta; Trace element (nutrient)
• ISSN: 0304-4238; 1879-1018
• DOI: 10.1016/S0304-4238(02)00147-4

Rates of N, P and K were used to compare the effects on iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and chloride (Cl) as well as the response of some biochemical indicators of micronutrient status in leaves and fruits of greenhouse-grown cucumbers ( Cucumis sativus L. cv. Brunex F 1). The treatments were as follows: NH 4NO 3 (5, 10, 20, 40 g/m 2); PO 4H 3 (8, 16 g/m 2); and K 2SO 4 (20, 40 g/m 2). Control plants were supplied only with organic matter (manure from plant debris). The treatments N20, P16 and K40 favored the highest leaf biomass, whereas N40, P8 or P16 and K40 produced the lowest fruit biomass. The best treatments to promote phytoaccumulation of Fe and Mn in fruits were N10, P16 and K40. The fruit Cu, Zn and Cl accumulations were increased by fertilizer compared to the control. Foliar and fruit catalase activities help to indicate the nutritional status of Fe and Mn in cucumber, but, peroxidase and ribonuclease activities did not by themselves prove sufficiently informatives.