Root restriction and N-NO3 solution concentration effects on nutrient uptake, transpiration and dry matter production of tomato

Bar-Tal, A., Institute of Soils and Water, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, 50250, Israel
Feigin, A., Institute of Soils and Water, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, 50250, Israel
Sheinfeld, S., Institute of Soils and Water, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, 50250, Israel
Rosenberg, R., Institute of Soils and Water, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, 50250, Israel
Sternbaum, B., Institute of Soils and Water, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, 50250, Israel
Rylski, I., Institute of Field and Garden Crops, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, 50250, Israel
Pressman, E., Institute of Field and Garden Crops, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, 50250, Israel

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195

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14

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Root restriction and N-NO3 solution concentration effects on nutrient uptake, transpiration and dry matter production of tomato

Abstract: 

A previous study found that root pruning reduced tomato plant growth and that increasing the solution nitrate concentration failed to compensate for the pruned roots. The objective of the present investigation was to study the combined effects of nitrate concentration and root restriction on dry matter production, nutrient uptake and transpiration by tomato plants. Root restriction reduced the total dry matter production and the total N and K uptake by tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum cv. 'F 121') grown in a greenhouse in an aero-hydroponic system. However, the flux of N uptake by the roots was higher in the plants with restricted roots. Root restriction did not affect the N concentration but did decrease the K concentration in part of the plant organs. Increasing the solution nitrate concentration from 1.0 to 9.0 mmol 1-1 significantly increased the nitrate uptake by plants with either restricted or intact roots. The transpiration rate was reduced by root restriction, but the flux of water uptake per root unit volume, the water consumption per unit dry matter production and the transpiration rate per leaf unit area were increased by root restriction. These results were in good agreement with those obtained with pruned roots. It was concluded that the reduction in dry matter production following root restriction was not caused by either N deficiency or water stress. © 1995.