Photosynthetic pigments, nitrogen status, and flower behavior in eggplant exposed to different sources and levels of potassium

Douglas JosÃ© Marques; Fernando Broetto; Allan Klynger da Silva Lobato; Ernani Clarete da Silva; Janice Guedes de Carvalho; FabrÃ­cio William de Ãvila; Gustavo Antonio Ruffeil Alves; Izabelle Pereira Andrade

doi:10.5897/SRE11.2052

Scientific Research and Essays

Abbreviation: Sci. Res. Essays
Language: English
ISSN: 1992-2248
DOI: 10.5897/SRE
Start Year: 2006
Published Articles: 2767

Full Length Research Paper

Photosynthetic pigments, nitrogen status, and flower behavior in eggplant exposed to different sources and levels of potassium

Douglas JosÃ© Marques

Douglas JosÃ© Marques
Departamento de CiÃªncia do Solo, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras, Brazil.
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Fernando Broetto

Fernando Broetto
Departamento de QuÃmica e BioquÃmica, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Botucatu, Brazil.
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Allan Klynger da Silva Lobato

Allan Klynger da Silva Lobato
NÃºcleo de Pesquisa Vegetal BÃ¡sica e Aplicada, Universidade Federal Rural da AmazÃ´nia, Paragominas, Brazil.
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Ernani Clarete da Silva

Ernani Clarete da Silva
Universidade Federal de SÃ£o JoÃ£o Del-Rei, Sete Lagoas, Brazil.
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Janice Guedes de Carvalho

Janice Guedes de Carvalho
Departamento de CiÃªncia do Solo, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras, Brazil.
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FabrÃcio William de Ãvila

FabrÃcio William de Ãvila
Departamento de CiÃªncia do Solo, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras, Brazil.
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Gustavo Antonio Ruffeil Alves

Gustavo Antonio Ruffeil Alves
NÃºcleo de Pesquisa Vegetal BÃ¡sica e Aplicada, Universidade Federal Rural da AmazÃ´nia, Paragominas, Brazil.
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Izabelle Pereira Andrade

Izabelle Pereira Andrade
NÃºcleo de Pesquisa Vegetal BÃ¡sica e Aplicada, Universidade Federal Rural da AmazÃ´nia, Paragominas, Brazil.
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Article Number - BD98C4631329
Vol.8(2), pp. 67-74 , January 2013
https://doi.org/10.5897/SRE11.2052

Accepted: 20 February 2012
Published: 31 January 2013

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate (i) the influence of different sources and levels of potassium on photosynthetic pigments, (ii) measure nitrogen status in leaf, (iii) evaluate flower behavior in eggplant (Solanum melongena L.), and (iv) to identify a better potassium source to cultivation of this species. The experiment design used was in factorial scheme with randomized blocks, being composed by 2 potassium sources (KCl and K₂SO₄), combined with 4 levels of K₂O (250, 500, 750 and 1000 kg ha^-1). Nitrogen accumulation in leaf at 50 days after transplanting had a higher value with KCl compared with K₂SO₄. Results linked to aborted fruits presented similar effects to KCl and K₂SO₄. This study revealed that eggplant exposed to excess potassium did not have a negative effect on chlorophyll a and b, and nitrogen concentration in leaf was significantly modified due to increase in potassium level. In addition, greater levels of potassium produced negative consequences linked to flower and fruit abortion. Therefore, potassium source indicated for eggplant is potassium sulfate.