Co-Authors:
Feigin, A., Institute of Soils and Water, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, Israel
Abstract:
The response of melon plants (Cucumis melo L. cv Galia) to different ratios of nh4-n/(nh4+NO3)-N (0, 0.15, 0.3 and 0.6) in saline (9 dS/m) and nonsaline (1.5 ds/m) nutrient solutions (in which the total N level was 5 mmol 1-1) was studied using an aerohydroponic system in a greenhouse. The total production of dry matter and the concentration of macronutrients and other elements in plant shoot and root tissue were determined 68 days after transplanting. Dry matter production was not significantly affected by the NH4/NO3 ratio but the following general trend of NH4 effect on crop yield cannot be ignored. In nonsaline solutions the presence of a relatively low proportion (0.15) of NH4-N enhanced the yield of shoot dry matter, whereas under saline conditions the presence of NH4 exerted a negative effect on plant growth. Ammonium nutrition tended to increase the level of total N in plant tissue. Increasing NH4/NO3 ratio (decreasing. © 1990, Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. All rights reserved.