Electrical conductivity of nutrient solution on growth and nutrient accumulation in chrysanthemum plants

The study of growth and uptake of nutrients is important to determine the times of increased demand in order to schedule the fertigation. The present research was developed with the objective of evaluating the effects of different levels of electrical conductivity on growth and accumulation of nutrients in chrysanthemum plants under greenhouse conditions. The electrical conductivity levels on the applied solution were 1.42, 1.65, 1.89, 2.13 and 2.36 dS m(-1) (bud vegetative stage); 1.71, 1.97, 2.28, 2.57 and 2.85 dS m(-1) (bud stage). The dry mass of the aerial portion of the plant and the contents of macronutrients and micronutrients were determined every 14 days. The nutrient accumulation in chrysanthemum plant showed similar trend as compared to dry matter accumulation. The nutrients presented the following order of absorption: K>N>Ca>Mg>P>S (1425, 892, 184, 150, 110 and 59 mg plant(-1)) and Fe>Zn>B>Mn>Cu (2254, 2219, 1725, 1287, 210 mu g plant(-1)). The content of most nutrients increased with increase in electrical conductivity of the solution, without salt effect up to EC of 2.85 dS m(-1).