Concentraciónes y distribución de calcio y nitrógeno en plantas de gerbera, afectadas por las formas de nitrógeno

Ammonium and nitrate are the two forms of nitrogen necessary for the development, metabolism, and key processes in plants. The effects of ammonium to nitrate ratio on gerbera plants and their significance in post-harvest vase life are still poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate how different nutrient solutions affect nutrient levels in various plant organs. The experiment was conducted using a completely randomized design with three replicates at the National Research Institute of Flowers and Ornamental Plants in Mahallat City, Iran, in 2018. The factors studied were the four ratios of ammonium to nitrate: 0:100, 20:80, 40:60, and 60:40, and two gerbera varieties: Stanza and Double Dutch. The results showed that nitrogen content in different plant organs (roots, stem, and leaves) increased with higher concentrations of ammonium in the nutrient solutions. The highest nitrogen content in the roots of gerbera was observed 35 d after the first flowering stem appeared, with a concentration of 4.38 mg N g-1 dry weight in the 60:40 ratio of ammonium to nitrate. The lowest nitrogen content was found in the flowering stem at the time of harvest, with 2.00 mg N g-1 dry weight in the 0:100 ratio of ammonium to nitrate.