The Effect of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Ratios and Electrical Conductivity on Plant Growth

Abstract

Environmental concerns surround the use of plant growth retardants (PGRs) for plant height control, and non-chemical alternatives to PGRs can be labor intensive and expensive. Macronutrient modification is a little-studied, yet potentially effective method of controlling plant height. A number of studies have suggested that phosphorus (P) limitation may restrict plant height. Anecdotal evidence also suggests that using nitrate (NO3-), rather than ammonium (NH4+), as the principal nitrogen (N) source may help control plant height. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate different ratios of NO3-/ NH4+, NO3-/P and NH4+/P as well as electrical conductivity (EC) on plant height and growth. This was tested in a hydroponic system using marigolds, sunflowers and tomatoes. Initially, different ratios were tested at an EC of 1.2 dS·m-1, followed by using the same ratios at four ECs (0.6, 1.2, 2.2 and 4.0 dS·m-1) as a second objective. Although ratios did, at times, limit plant height, responses were season and species dependent, suggesting that modifications in plant nutrition, at the ratios used in this study, may not effectively control plant height in hydroponic systems. More consistent, yet species specific, height control was achieved by increasing EC level.