Edafología. Volumen 5. Diciembre 1998. pag 29-39.

 

SALINITY - FERTILITY INTERACTIONS ON EARLY GROWTH OF MAIZE (Zea mays L.) AND NUTRIENT UPTAKE

 

 

Pablo Zalba and Norman Peinemann

 

Departamento de Agronomía, Universidad Nacional del Sur 8000 Bahía Blanca, Argentina.

 

 

Abstract

Laboratory experiments were conducted to study the effect of fertiliser elements (N - P - K) on nutrient uptake of maize plants at different water salinity levels. Fresh and dry matter production after 21 days of plant incubation in a growth chamber were determined.

Results indicated that response of young maize plants to nutrient applications tended to diminish with increase in salinity. High negative correlation (r = -0,84**) between NO3-and Cl- concentrations was determined in shoot as salinity (NaCl) in irrigation water increased. However, phosphorus and potassium concentrations in plant remained constant.

Finally, results from root experiments revealed that this physiological process of competition between both anions appears to be regulated at specific sites in the leaves cells rather than at root surface level.

 

Key words: salinity, fertility, maize.

 

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