Zantedeschia’s root morphology influenced by nitrogen and phosphorus multiple deficiency

Abstract

The knowledge of the phenomena that occur in root systems developed under nutritional deficiency is still limited. Among the factors that may raise doubt in the identification of nutritional state, multiple deficiencies stand out. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of multiple and single omission of nitrogen and phosphorus in nutrient solution on roots development in Zantedeschia aethiopica. For that, plants were cultivated over a period of eight months in treatments with complete Hoagland and Arnon solution (1950), with the omission of N (Nitrogen), omission of P (Phosphorus), omission of NP and nutrient solution with NP at concentrations of 25%, 50% and 75%, totaling seven treatments with four replications, in a completely randomized design. At the end of the experiment period, length, root volume, root dry mass and density were evaluated. Plants grown in solution with omission of P and with 25NP were those that most exploited space with their roots. The diameter of roots was influenced by multiple deficiencies of macronutrients. The mineral composition of the plant roots is influenced by multiple deficiencies of N and P.