Abstract
The present study was carried out at the Herbal Garden of Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi on Pusa Bharti variety of Spinach Beet (Beta vulgaris Linn.) to understand the effect of potassium with other fertilizers on nitrate accumulation, growth and quality of the leaves. Potassium application along with other fertilizers increased leaf area, per cent dry weight, Chlorophyll Content Index (CCI) and Nitrate Reductase Activity (NRA), but decreased nitrate content. Effect of 2:1 ratio of N and K was found statistically at par with 1:1 ratio of N and K. Fertilizer treatments without potassium had lower level of NRA and higher nitrate content in the leaves as compared to other applications. Application of FYM along with NPK fertilizers increased leaf area, per cent dry weight, CCI and NRA, whereas it decreases nitrate content. As higher NRA and lower nitrate content was recorded in treatments with potassium, application of K is desirable to reduce health hazards related with nitrate toxicity. Based on the results of the study, application of 1:1 ratio of N and K fertilizer and FYM is recommended. Keywords: Spinach beet, potassium, nitrate toxicity, nitrate reductase, manure; fertilizers, NPK.
Highlights
Vegetables eaten by people every day usually contribute about 72-94% of the total daily intake of nitrate (Shen et al, 1982; Dich et al, 1996; Eichholzer & Gutzwiller, 1998)
Applied potassium was found to increase Chlorophyll Content Index (CCI) of leaf which is in accordance with the observation of Bark and Chein (1983), who noted an increase in chlorophyll
Of N fertilizer without K can increase nitrate potassium application promoted the uptake of such nutrients as SO42, Fe2+ and Mg2+ that are known to be associated with the synthesis of chlorophyll
Summary
Keeping above facts in view, it is of major concern to improve nitrate uptake and reduce its accumulation in leaves of Spinach Beet as well as other leafy vegetables. Phosphate, potassium fertilizers, as well as the green and farm yard manure could materially reduce the nitrate accumulation in vegetables (Zhou et al, 2000). We should use sufficient amount and proper combination of fertilizers to increase crop productivity so that it does not harm environment. An adequate fertilization program may ensure sufficient plant growth without any risk of plant nitrate levels going too high (Vieira et al, 1998). The present study was undertaken to understand the effect of different combinations of NPK fertilizers and FYM on the Nitrate accumulation, growth and leaf quality of Spinach Beet (Beta vulgaris Linn.)
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