Multiple nitrogen and phosphorus deficiency in Zantedeschia

Abstract

Multiple nutritional deficiencies are considered one of several factors that can induce doubt in the diagnosis based only in visual symptoms, because it makes identification more difficult. The aim of this work was to evaluate the development of Zantedeschia and the morphological changes resulting from nutritional disorders caused by multiple and simple nitrogen and phosphorus deficiency in plants grown in nutrient solution. Zantedeschia plants were grown for a period of eight months in a complete Hoagland and Arnon (1950) solution, with nitrogen (-N) omission, with phosphorus (-P) omission, with nitrogen and phosphorus (-NP) omission, and also nutrient solution with N and P at concentrations of 25, 50 and 75%, totalizing 7 treatments, with 4 replicates in a completely randomized experimental design. At the end of the experimental period, plant height, number of emitted leaves, leaf size, number and mineral composition of shoots were assessed. The omission of nutrients both in simple and multiple forms affected plant development. The highest shoot formation occurred in plants grown in solution and with 50% of the concentration of NP. The mineral composition of macronutrients present in leaves and shoots of plants was influenced by multiple deficiencies of N and P.