Interaction of Peach Seedlings to NO3:NH4 Ratios in Nutrient Solutions1

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Abstract
Peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] seedlings of ‘Siberian C’, ‘Tzim Pee Tao’, NA 8, and 152A1–2 were grown for 64 days in nutrient solutions with constant N concentration, but the ratio of NO3 to NH4 in the nutrient solution varied from 100:0 to 0:100. The greatest growth occurred when the NO3:NH4 treatment was 50:50 or 25:75. The poorest growth occurred when NO3 was the sole N source in the nutrient solution. Significant interaction of nutrient concentrations occurred with the different rootstock and N ratios in all tissues studied. The N concentration in leaves and roots was highest in seedlings grown in N treatments of 100:0 or 75:25. The concentrations of P, Ca, and Mg in the leaves, stems, and roots of all cultivars decreased with each increment increase in the NH4 concentration in the nutrient solution. The relative growth rate and N uptake rate of all seedlings increased with high NH4 concentrations. The uptake rates of P, K, Ca, and Mg were highest for NO3:NH4 treatments of 50:50 or 25:75. Chlorosis developed on margins of leaves mid-way on the main stem on all seedlings with NO3:NH4 treatments 50:50, 25:75 and 0:100. The disorder occurred in the mature leaves of all cultivars but did not affect expanding leaves.

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