Title:	Response of elephantgrass to nutrient solution pH levels.
Authors:	PASSOS, L. P. VIDIGAL, M. C. PEREIRA, A. V. FERREIRA, R. de P. VERNEQUE, R. da S.
Affiliation:	LEONIDAS PAIXAO PASSOS, CNPGL; MARIA COLETTA VIDIGAL, CNPGL; ANTONIO VANDER PEREIRA, CNPGL; REINALDO DE PAULA FERREIRA, CNPGL; RUI DA SILVA VERNEQUE, CNPGL.
Date Issued:	1999
Citation:	Journal of Plant Nutrition, v. 22, n. 4/5, p. 701-708, 1999.
Description:	Seedlings of elephantgrass (Pennisetumpurpureum, Schum.), cvs. Vruckwona and Napier, were grown in aerated nutrient solution and exposed to pH levels of 4.0, 5.0, 6.0, or 7.0. After 30 days under controlled conditions, the effects on growth were evaluated. Plants exposed to pH 5.0, as compared to those under pH 4.0, showed increases in total leaf area, plant height, number of leaves (NL), and leaf, root, and stem fresh weight. No significant differences were found in stubble fresh weight, maximum individual leaf area, leaf area ratio (LAR), leaf area:plant height ratio, and leaf, root, stem, and stubble dry weight and dry matter percentage. Seedlings exposed to pH 4.0, as compared to those under pH 5.0, exhibited higher leaf:stem ratio on a fresh weight basis (FWR) and a tendency for higher leaf :stem ratio on a dry matter basis (DWR). Cultivar Vruckwona yielded superior results than Napier for most studied parameters, except for NL, LAR, and DWR (in which there were no significant differences) and for stubble length and FWR (in which Napier performed better). The results suggest that reductions below 5.0 in the nutrient solution pH cause growth inhibition, affecting root, stem, and leaf FW to a greater extent. The magnitude of such effects varies among contrasting cultivars. In turn, pH increases above 5.0 induce no significant growth reduction or promotion.
Thesagro:	Planta Forrageira
DOI:	https://doi.org/10.1080/01904169909365665
Type of Material:	Artigo de periódico
Access:	openAccess
Appears in Collections:	Artigo em periódico indexado (CNPGL)