biologia plantarum

Biologia plantarum 14:103-111, 1972 | DOI: 10.1007/BF02920953

Maize growth and ion absorption in Richter's solution at different flow rates

Radmila Macůrková¹, Z. Laštůvka¹

¹ Department of Plant Biology, Faculty of Science, J. E. Purkyně University, Brno

By comparing maize plants cultivated in standing nutrient solution with those from solutions flowing at different flow rates it has been established that absorption of nitrogen, potassium and especially of phosphorus was increased owing to the flow. There was likewise a relative rise in the distribution of nutrients to the overground parts of the plants. The content expressed per unit dry matter was increased only in the case of phosphorus; with nitrogen and potassium it was slightly lower than in the standing solution. Increasing amounts of iron were required under the conditions of flowing nutrient solutions to prevent chlorosis of the plants. The production of dry matter,NAR andRGR was also increased because of the flow. The flow considerably changed the habitus of the primary roots of the maize plants. The roots were longer, thinner and on the whole they contained relatively less dry matter (RWR). The lengthening of the roots is explained as a response to stimulation by the solution flow-the rheotropism.

Received: February 11, 1971; Published: March 1, 1972  Show citation