Macro- and micronutrient nutrition of plants in greenhouses, hydroponic systems, and in vitro culture on gelled media

Hans R. Gislerod, Ravichandran Selliah, Kwadwo Owusu Ayeh, Anne Kathrine Hvoslef-Eide

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Nutrition for in vitro and greenhouse production systems is reviewed and found to be broadly similar. The optimal pH (5.0-6.0) is independent of the growing system used, with some lower or higher pH values required for special crops. The pH of nutrient solutions is regulated either with acid or via the NH4:NO3 ratio. For in vitro solutions, it is possible to use buffers (MES or TRIS), while in greenhouse systems the pH buffering capacity relies mostly on the quantity of colloids in the growing medium. The normal nutrient solution conductivity for vegetative propagation is 0.8-1.2 mS cm-1 and 1.5-2.0 mS cm-1 for growth in greenhouse production. In micropropagation on gelled media the conductivity will be between 3.0-6.5 mS cm-1. When spraying nutrient directly on the leaves in greenhouse production either to increase uptake of a particular element or to prevent a deficiency, the same concentration as for micropropagation should be used. The air humidity will usually be greater in micropropagation systems than in greenhouse production. In in vitro culture of plant parts, uptake of the different nutrient elements will be mainly by diffusion. When comparing the proportion between in vivo and in vitro growing systems, there is a surprisingly low content of Ca and P for micropropagation. For micronutrients, micropragation media are low in Fe and Cu content and high in Mn and Zn content, compared to that required for greenhouse production. Light has been found to have an effect on the stability of iron-chelates and thus on the quantity of iron available in the media for uptake. We present results to show the importance of the right nutrient content of the medium and how it affects growth and development in vitro, but mostly the increase in development rate to flowering.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationLiquid Culture Systems for in vitro Plant Propagation
PublisherSpringer Netherlands
Pages475-492
Number of pages18
Volume9781402031991
ISBN (Electronic)9781402032004
ISBN (Print)1402031998, 9781402031991
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2005
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Air humidity
  • Conductivity
  • Light
  • PH
  • Proportion of the nutrient element

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