115 EFFECT OF NITROGEN SOURCE AND LEVEL ON VEGETABLE AMARANTH

Abstract

On 3 Aug. 1993, 20-day-old `Hinn Choy' plants (Amaranthus tricolor L.) were-planted on 15 × 15 cm spacings in 4-row beds at 1.3 m row spacings in a Leadvale silt loam soil. Nitrogen sources of NH4, NO3 and NH4 NO3 were used at rates of 0, 100 and 200 kg/ha, and were split-applied at and 1 week after transplanting. All treatments received both supplemental K and P at the rate of 90 kg/ha at planting. Plants were harvested 31 days after transplanting. Plants given the NH, source were taller, and were higher in yield, leaf chlorophyll, total carotenoids and Mn (dry wt basis) than were plants given other N-sources. NO3-N fertilizer increased leaf Fe and Cu, and residual soil K and NO3, but reduced Mn levels. Leaf blade Ca was highest when NH4NO3 fertilizer was used. Increasing N-rates decreased both soil pH linearly and leaf blade Ca but linearly increased soil EC, NO3, and S and leaf blade N, K, S, P, NO3, Fe, chlorophyll and carotenoids.