Temperature in relation to phosphorus nutrition in Chinese cabbage

Abstract

Chinese cabbage plants [Brassica pekinensis (Lour) Rupr. cv. Nagaoka 50] were cultivated experimentally for two years (1993 and 1994) using a semi‐forcing technique of floating rowcovers, polyethylene (T1), polypropylene (T2), versus no floating row‐covers, control (T0). Five samplings were made, taking four plants per each replication and total phosphorus (P) (Ptotal), inorganic P (Pi), and calculated organic P (Porg) were determined as well as foliar acid phosphatase activity (FAPA). The aerial and root temperatures of the treatments T1 and T2 exceeded those of T0. The Ptotal concentration showed no significant variations with treatment, whereas the Pi concentrations increased in Ti and T2 and Porg decreased in both treatments with respect to T0. The FAPA was influenced a similar way as Pi, raising with temperature. The contents (mg plant‐1) of Ptolal, Pi, and Porg were greater in T1 and T2 than in T0, and this could be due to the fact that the highest temperatures (root and aerial zone) generated by the plastic rowcovers favored the absorption of P, thereby boosting FAPA and the fresh and dry weights, and yield.