Abstract

The effect of nitrogen nutrition on the formation of chlorophyll was studied by means of pot experiments. Experimental crops were spinach and wheat. Comparing the effects of sodium nitrate and calcium nitrate it appeared that irrespective of the crop, the total quantity of chlorophyll produced per pot was nearly always greater with sodium nitrate than with calcium nitrate. The percentage of chlorophyll in winter wheat was also higher with sodium nitrate, the differences with calcium nitrate at the vegetative stage amounting to between 6 and 29 per cent. In spinach, however, the chlorophyll content was lower with sodium nitrate than with calcium nitrate, owing to the much larger yield increase produced by the former. The ratio of chlorophyll a chlorophyll b appeared to be little dependent on the nitrate form but to vary with the nitrogen level. Especially under conditions of nitrogen deficiency much lower ratios of a/b were found. In young wheat leaves a rather close relation was found between the chlorophyll content and the protein content, the ratios being 6.0 : 100 in the 1958 experiment and 5.7 : 100 in the 1959 experiment.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.