Effect of nitrogen forms on growth and chemical changes in the rhizosphere of strawberry plants

Abstract

The experiment was set up to examine the influence of different nitrogen forms: (NH4)2SO4, Ca(NO3)2 or NH4NO3 on growth response, root induced pH changes in the rhizosphere, root-borne acid phosphatase activity in strawberry plants cv. Senga Sengana. The plants grown on sandy mineral soil were fertilized with 3 forms of nitrogen, in concentrations of 46 mg N·kg−1 soil. The plants were grown in rhizoboxes with removable plexiglass lids. To ensure the root growth along the plexiglass lids, the rhizoboxes were placed at an angle of about 50° with the lid on the lower side. In case of ammonium supply, the nitrification inhibitor DIDIN was added (10 mg·kg−1 of moist soil) to prevent conversion of ammonium into nitrate. The growth response (roots and shoots) of strawberry plants were determined after 11 weeks of treatment with different N forms.