Nutrient analysis of chicory grown in nutrient solutions with suppression of macronutrients.

Abstract

The endive is one of the most commonly consumed leafy vegetables along with chicory and lettuce, with low-fat, high in calcium, phosphorus, iron, provitamin A, vitamin B complex and C, however, little information exists on nutritional diagnosis. The objective was to evaluate the effect of macronutrient omission on growth and nutritional status of chicory cv. broadleaf and describe visual symptoms of nutritional deficiency. The treatments consisted of a complete solution and the omission of N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S, under a completely randomized design with three replications. Plants were grown in Hoagland & Arnon, in pots (8L) under aeration. At 56 days after transplant were evaluated, plant height, leaf number, leaf area, the relative chlorophyll index (RCI), the dry matter of shoots, roots and whole plant levels of macronutrients shoots and roots and the description of nutritional disorders. The omission of macronutrients decreased its absorption by the plant, limiting the vegetative growth, especially K, Ca and Mg which decreased the dry matter yield of chicory plants, compared to treatment with complete nutrient solution. The omission of macronutrients caused losses since affect the content and accumulation of nutrients by the crop of chicory and which resulted in morphological changes, reflected as symptoms of deficiency for each nutrient.