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Nitrogen/Ammonium Concentration Response of Vegetable and Flower Crops



Author(s)

Armando Hernández-Pérez1, Oscar Gabriel Villegas-Torres1, Martha Lilia Domínguez-Patiño2, Héctor Sotelo-Nava1, Antonio Rodríguez-Martínez3, Luis Alonso Valdez-Aguilar4 and Irán Alía-Tejacal1

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DOI:10.17265/2161-6264/2014.04B.002

1. Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University Autonomous of the State of Morelos, Cuernavaca 62209, Mexico
2. Faculty of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, University Autonomous of the State of Morelos, Cuernavaca 62209, Mexico
3. Engineering and Applied Science Research Center, University Autonomous of the State of Morelos, Cuernavaca 62209, Mexico
4. Department of Horticulture, University Autonomus Agrarian Antonio Narro, Saltillo 25315, Mexico

Nitrogen (N) is the element with the greatest influence on the growth of vegetables and ornamentals, however, form of delivery, either as nitrate (NO₃^-) or ammonium (NH₄⁺) has different effects on plant development. The NO₃^- is the main form of N that plants absorb, but when it is the only source of N that has slight effects on root growth, no effects over enzymatic activities, and stimulates the absorption and translocation of cations within the plant. The NH₄⁺ is the easiest way of assimilation but is highly toxic when the only source or with respect to the concentration of NO₃^- is too high. To avoid toxicity, the NH₄⁺ must not exceed 20% of the total N amount in the formulation, however, it is important to consider the species, variety and environmental conditions. The N as supplied also affects the resistance or susceptibility of plants to diseases, but depends on the species and the type of pathogen.

Nitrate, ammonium, vegetables, ornamental, toxicity, nutrition.