Tomasz Kleiber

Changes of Macro and Micronutrients Contents in the Root Environment of Greenhouse Tomato Grown in Fiber Wood

Changes of Macro and Micronutrients Contents in the Root Environment of Greenhouse Tomato Grown in Fiber Wood Wood fiber can be used in horticultural practice as biodegradable horticultural substrate. In these studies carried out in the years 2007-2008, changes of the macro and micronutrients in nutrient solution collected from the root environment of greenhouse tomato cv. Emotion F1 grown in the slabs of wood fiber with densities of 60, 80 and 100 g·dm-3, were determined. Results were compared with the tomato growing in the rockwool slabs of density 60 g·dm-3. Increase of the wood fiber density from 60 to 100 g·dm-3 significantly declined the contents of N-NO3, P, K, Ca, S-SO4 and Fe in the root environment, but increased the N-NH4 and Mn contents. No significant effect of the wood fiber density on the changes of Mg, Zn, Cu, B and Na contents was found. Decrease of the main nutrients in the root environment of plants grown in the wood fiber with an increasing density, significantly decreased EC in nutrient solution. However, there were no significant changes in the pH value. In the growing of tomato on the rockwool and wood fiber slabs, in comparable density of 60 g·dm-3, there was a significant differentiation of the N-NH4, N-NO3, K, Fe and Zn contents in the root environment. Growing of plants in the wood fiber it was shown the higher contents of N-NO3, K and Zn, but in the rockwool the higher amounts of N-NH4 and Fe. The lowering series of nutrient contents in the rockwool showed the following sequence: Na>Fe>Ca>N-NH4>Cu>K>Cl>N-NO3>Mg>S-SO4>B, while in the wood fiber was: Na>Zn>Ca>N-NO3K>Mg>Cl>S-SO4>B. In the wood fiber, in contrast to the rockwool, there was no effect of Cu, Fe and N-NH4 concentration. Zmiany Zawartości Makro i Mikroelementów w Środowisku Korzeniowym Pomidora Szklarniowego Uprawianego We Włóknie Drzewnym W latach 2007-2008 w doświadczeniach szklarniowych badano zmiany składu chemicznego pożywek w strefie korzeniowej pomidora szklarniowego odmiany Emotion F1 uprawianego w matach z włókna drzewnego (100×15×7,5 cm) o gęstości objętościowej 60, 80 i 100 g·dm-3 w porównaniu do wełny mineralnej Agroban (60 g·dm-3). Stosowano fertygację kroplową w układzie zamkniętym bez recyrkulacji pożywki, która zawierała (w mg·dm-3): N-NH4 <14, N-NO3 220, P-PO4 66, K 380, Ca 160, Mg 80, SSO4 145, Fe 1,00, Mn 0,80, Zn 1,43 B 0,40, Cu 0,08, Mo 0,08, HCO3 42, pH 5,50, EC 3,30 mS·cm-1. Dawka pożywki zależała od fazy rozwojowej roślin. W okresie intensywnego plonowania i wysokich temperatur (VI-VII) dziennie stosowano 3,5 litra pożywki na roślinę, w 15-20 dawkach jednorazowych, przy 20-30% wycieku z maty. Próby pożywek reprezentujących strefę korzeniową pobierano o stałej porze doby, za pomocą strzykawki lekarskiej, w połowie odległości między roślinami, w środkowej osi maty, wbijając igłę strzykawki do połowy miąższości, w następujących terminach: 15.05, 15.06, 15.07, 15.08, 15.09. Średnia próba mieszana pobierana była z 10 mat. Analizy chemiczne pożywek przeprowadzono bezpośrednio w badanych roztworach metodami standardowymi. Wzrost gęstości włókna drzewnego od 60-100 g·dm-3 istotnie zmniejszał w środowisku korzeniowym zawartość N-NO3, P, K, Ca, S-SO4 i Fe, natomiast zwiększał NNH4 i Mn. Nie stwierdzono istotnego wpływu gęstości włókna na zawartość Mg, Zn, Cu, B i Na. W efekcie obniżania się większości składników w środowisku korzeniowym roślin uprawianych we włóknie drzewnym, stwierdzono istotne obniżanie się EC pożywek. Nie stwierdzono natomiast istotnych zmian pH. W uprawie pomidora w podłożach z wełny mineralnej i włókna drzewnego o porównywalnej gęstości 60 g·dm-3 stwierdzono istotne różnicowanie się zawartości N-NH4, N-NO3, K, Fe i Zn w środowisku korzeniowym. Włókno drzewne było bogatsze w N-NO3, K i Zn, natomiast wełna mineralna w N-NH4 i Fe. Szereg zatężania składników w wełnie mineralnej przyjmował układ: Na>Fe>Ca>N-NH4>Cu>K>Cl>N-NO3>Mg>S-SO4>B, natomiast we włóknie drzewnym: Na>Zn>Ca>N-NO3>K>Mg>Cl>S-SO4>B. We włóknie drzewnym, w przeciwieństwie do wełny mineralnej, nie wykazano efektu wzrostu zawartości miedzi, żelaza i amonu.

Evaluation of Suitability of Amaranthus Caudatus L. and Ricinus Communis L. in Phytoextraction of Cadmium and Lead from Contaminated Substrates

Abstract The phytoextraction is a process that uses living plants for cleaning up the heavy metals from contaminated soil. The cadmium and lead contamination of soils results from the application of sludge or urban composts, fertilizers, pesticides, motorization, metallurgy, and different technological processes. In industrial terrain the content of cadmium and lead in soils has increased in the recent years. This study was undertaken to evaluate the potential of Amaranthus caudatus L. ‘Atropurpureus’ and Ricinus communis L. ‘Sanguineus Apache’ for phytoextraction of cadmium and lead. Two species of ornament plants, i.e. Amaranthus caudatus L. ‘Atropurpureus’ and Ricinus communis L. ‘Sanguineus Apache’, were planted in drainless containers in a substrate artificially polluted with cadmium and lead in order to evaluate their suitability for phytoremediation of soils or substrates contaminated with these metals. Cadmium was applied at increasing rates of 0, 1, 5 and 10 mg Cd∙dm-3 in the form of cadmium sulfate 3CdSO4∙8H2O, while lead was used at 0, 100, 500 and 1000 mg Pb∙dm-3 in the form of lead acetate (CH3COO)2Pb∙3H2O. The applied doses of cadmium and lead in the experiment reflected different degrees of soil pollution. After five months of growth it was found that Amaranthus caudatus L. accumulated the biggest concentrations of cadmium and lead in leaves and the lowest concentrations in inflorescences. Ricinus communis L. accumulated the highest concentrations of cadmium in stems, while the lowest concentrations in inflorescences, whereas the biggest concentration of lead was accumulated in inflorescences and the least lead was accumulated in leaves. The biggest reduction of cadmium and lead concentrations after the completion of the experiment was found in substrates, in which Amaranthus caudatus L. was grown. The tested species of ornamental plants may be used in the phytoextraction of cadmium and lead from soils contaminated. Streszczenie Fitoekstrakcja jest jedną z metod oczyszczania gleby z metali ciężkich przez wykorzystanie roślin. Zanieczyszczenie gleb kadmem i ołowiem spowodowane jest miejskimi ściekami, miejskimi kompostami, motoryzacją, nawożeniem, pestycydami, metalurgią i różnymi procesami technologicznymi. W glebach terenów przemysłowych w ostatnich latach obserwuje się zwiększanie zawartość kadmu i ołowiu. W podjętych badaniach oceniano potencjał Amaranthus caudatus L. i Ricinus communis L. do fi toekstrakcji kadmu i ołowiu. Dwa gatunki rośli ozdobnych: Amaranthus caudatus L. ‘Atropurpureus’ i Ricinus communis L. ‘Sanguineus Apache’ posadzono w pojemnikach bezodpływowych w podłożu sztucznie zanieczyszczonych kadmem i ołowiem w celu ocenienia ich przydatności do fi toremediacji gleb lub podłoży skażonych tymi metalami. Kadm zastosowano we wzrastających dawkach: 0, 1, 5, 10 mg Cd∙dm-3, w postaci siarczanu kadmu 3CdSO4∙8H2O, natomiast ołów w dawkach: 0, 100, 500, 1000 mg Pb∙dm-3, w postaci octanu ołowiu (CH3COO)2Pb∙3H2O. Zastosowane dawki kadmu i ołowiu w doświadczeniu odzwierciedlają różny stopień zanieczyszczenia gleb. Po pięciu miesiącach wzrostu stwierdzono, że Amaranthus caudatus L. ‘Atropurpureus’ najwięcej kadmu i ołowiu akumulował w liściach a najmniej w kwiatostanach. Ricinus communis L. ‘Sanguineus Apache’ najwięcej kadmu akumulował w łodygach a najmniej w kwiatostanach, natomiast najwięcej ołowiu akumulował w kwiatostanach a najmniej w liściach. Największy ubytek kadmu i ołowiu po zakończeniu doświadczenia stwierdzono w podłożach, w których uprawiano Amaranthus caudatus L. ‘Atropurpureus’. Badane gatunki roślin ozdobnych mogą być wykorzystywane do fi toekstrakcji kadmu i ołowiu z gleb skażonych kadmem i ołowiem.

Quality of water used for drip irrigation and fertigation of horticultural plants

Abstract In the years 1997-2008, 131 water samples were analysed. The concentration of N-NH4, N-NO3, P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Cl, S-SO4, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, B, and HCO3 - was measured. In addition, the pH value and the electrolytic conductivity (EC) were determined and the sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) was calculated. The assessment of water was done on the basis of the classifications of water for the irrigation of greenhouse crops grown in soil or traditional media. According to guide values, water samples had to have high concentration of ions, especially HCO3, Mg, Na and K. The questioned quality in about one half of the water indicates that the limits proposed by different researchers are too restrictive. The criteria to be met by water admissible for irrigation and fertigation should take into consideration the regional differences in water characteristics. The adaptation of recommendations elaborated on the basis of analyses originating from other geographical and geological regions can lead to the elimination of waters possessing favourable quality parameters. For irrigation of field and greenhouse crops, the following concentrations of components in water might be recommended as safe ones: 30 mg N-NO3, 100 mg K, 150 mg Ca, 50 mg Mg, 100 mg Na, 100 mg Cl and 100 mg S-SO4 in 1 dm3. For soilless culture fertigation in an open system, the maximum ion concentrations in water cannot exceed the recommended ones in the nutrient solution for the given plant. Also, the EC value should be taken into consideration.

GUIDE VALUES FOR ANTHURIUM (ANTHURIUM CULTORUM BIRDSEY) GROWN IN EXPANDED CLAY

Coefficients of variation and guide values of nutrients were determined for Anthurium cultorum Birdsey cvs. ‘Baron’, ‘Choco’, ‘Pistache’, ‘President’, ‘Midori’, and ‘Tropical’ grown in expanded clay (inert medium) using drip fertigation. Fully developed leaves after freshly-cut flowers were collected as index parts for chemical analyses at two-month intervals over the period of three years (2002–2004). Investigations were conducted at two specialized commercial farms, recording optimal yielding in terms of quantity and quality. A standard nutrient solution for anthurium hydroponics was used in fertigation. Mean guide values for six analyzed cultivars of Anthurium cultorum Birdsey are (in d.m. leaves): 1.40–1.70% nitrogen (N), 0.30–0.40% phosphorus (P), 3.60–4.50% potassium (K), 1.40–1.80% calcium (Ca), 0.20–0.30% magnesium (Mg), 0.30–0.40% sulfur (S), 46.0–60.0 ppm iron (Fe), 35.0–47.0 ppm manganese (Mn), 54.0– 72.0 ppm zinc (Zn), 5.10–6.50 ppm copper (Cu), and 64.0–83.0 ppm boron (B). Guide values for cvs. ‘Baron’, ‘Choco’, ‘Pistache’, ‘President’, ‘Midori’ and ‘Tropical’ are given in the text of this paper. A diversification was shown in guide values for analyzed cultivars in relation to certain macro- and microelements. Coefficients of variation were determined for nutrient contents in index parts of plants. A very high variation (%) was found for Mn 47.5 and Zn 41.8, high for Mg 38.5, P 32.6, S 30.6, medium for Fe 29.2, Ca 28.0, Cu 23.3 and B 20.3, while low for K 11.4 and N 9.9.

Hydroponic Cultivation of Tomato

Mineral substrates used in plant hydroponic cultures should have low contents of the solid phase and good, stable air and water properties. Rockwool is a substrate with such properties, and it has been produced for plant culture systems since 1969 by I/S H.J. Henriksen and V. Kahler (Denmark). The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of an application of increasing manganese (Mn) and boron (B) concentrations added to a nutrient solution on the yielding, content of macroand micronutrients in tomato leaves and fruits (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill., cv. Alboney F1 and Emotion F1). Plants were grown in rockwool using a nutrient solution with the following content of Mn (mg dm−3): 0.06, 0.3, 0.6, and 1.2 mg dm−3 (Experiment I, 2008–2011) and 2.4, 4.8, 9.6, and 19.2 mg dm−3 (Experiment II, 2012)—designated the symbols for Mn: Mn-0, Mn-0.3, Mn-0.6, Mn-1.2, Mn-2.4, Mn-4.8, Mn-9.6, and Mn-19.2 and for B: (0.011), 0.4, 0.8, 1.6 in the form of Na2B4O7·10H2O (Experiment I) and boric acid H3BO3 (Experiment II) (combinations of the designated symbols, respectively, B-I, B-II, B-III, and B-IV). The influence of Mn and B nutrition on biometric parameters and chemical composition of leaves and fruits of tomato is discussed.

Seasonal changes in the nutritional status and yielding of Anthurium cultorum Birdsey. Part II. Microelements

Abstract The experiment was carried out in the years 2002-2004. Its aim was the determination of the tendencies in the microelement nutritional status of the standard cultivars of Anthurium cultorum Birdsey (‘Baron’, ‘Choco’, ‘Midori’, ‘Pistache’, ‘President’, ‘Tropical’ from Anthura B.V.) in the autumn-winter and spring-summer vegetation periods. The plants were cultivated in expanded clay using a drop fertigation system with standard nutrition. A significant influence of the vegetation periods and the light conditions associated with them was found to be exerted on the microelement plant nutrition. In the autumn-winter period, characterized by light deficit, the plant age significantly modified the nutrition (increase or decrease of content with a plant’s aging) with regard to zinc (-23.7%), copper (-25.8%) and boron (+25%), while in the spring-summer period, iron (+12.9%) and copper (-21.7%) nutrition was modified. During the three years of the study, the autumnwinter period showed a significant increase of iron content (+9.8%) with a simultaneous decrease of copper content (-6.5%), in comparison with the springsummer period. The awareness of the cyclical nature of the changes in the nutritional status of plants, depending on the given vegetation season, supplies a valuable instrument in the interpretation of plant analyses for diagnostic purposes.

The response of chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum x grandiflorum Ramat./Kitam) cv. Covington to a different range of fluorescent and LED light

A closed system for plant production with artificial light is an innovative method of plant cultivation. By placing plants on shelves, higher space efficiency is achieved and costs of heating are reduced as compared to greenhouse cultivation. The aim of the study was to assess the influence of light colour and type of lamps on the quality and nutrient status of chrysanthemums (Chrysanthemum x grandiflorum Ramat./Kitam.) cultivated in a growth chamber with no access to natural light. Two-factorial experiments were conducted: (factor A: lamp type: LED and fluorescent, factor B: light colour: Red (denoted as R), Blue+White (B+W), Red+Blue (R+B); Green (G); White (W), Blue (B). For all colours the quantum irradiance was 35 μmol m-2 s-1 and the day length was 10 hours. The plant growing experiments were conducted in a controlled environment growth room. Measurements and observations were carried out at anthesis when 50% of all flower heads were completely developed. The measurements referred to plant features determining plant quality, i.e. the number of flower buds and flower head, diameter of flower head, height and diameter of plants, index of leaf greenness (SPAD). Plant quality was significantly dependent on light colour and the type of lamps used. Earlier flowering of plants was observed under LED lamps emitting white and blue light. The largest flower heads were produced by plants grown under blue and red + blue colour light. Red light emitted by both types of lamps had an adverse effect on plant flowering. Both the type of lamps and the colour of emitted light significantly modified the plant nutrient status. Interactions between the studied factors were found. The mean content of nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium and sulphur was higher in plants grown under LED than FL lamps. A similar trend was also found for the microelement content.