Relationships between nitrogen, dry matter accumulation and glucosinolates in Eruca sativa Mills. The applicability of the critical NO3-N levels approach

• Published in: Plant and soil 2012-05, Vol.354 (1-2), p.347-358
• Main Authors: Omirou, Michalis, Papastefanou, Chara, Katsarou, Dimitra, Papastylianou, Ioannis, Passam, Harold C., Ehaliotis, Constantinos, Papadopoulou, Kalliope K.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Accumulation; Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Biological and medical sciences; Biomass; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Dry matter; Ecology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General agronomy. Plant production; Life Sciences; Metabolites; Nitrogen; Plant biology; Plant biomass; Plant growth; Plant Physiology; Plant Sciences; Regular Article; Soil fertility; Soil Science & Conservation; Soil-plant relationships. Soil fertility; Soil-plant relationships. Soil fertility. Fertilization. Amendments; Vegetables
• ISSN: 0032-079X; 1573-5036
• DOI: 10.1007/s11104-011-1071-9

Background and Aims Rocket salad ( Eruca sativa Mills) is one of the major leafy vegetables produced worldwide and has been characterized as a rich source of chemoprotective glucosinolates (GSL). The relationship between N fertilization and the resulting plant biomass and N status with GSL quantity and quality in rocket leaves was examined. Methods A pot experiment was conducted, applying ten different N-rates and destructive sampling was carried out 15, 30 and 45 days after transplanting (DAT). The Mitscherlich equation was used to establish NO 3 -N critical levels at each growth stage and as an indicator of N demand for relative maximum dry matter accumulation and glucosinolate content and composition was determined. Results Glucosinolate content was significantly influenced by N rate, growth stage and their interaction. Different GSL types showed dissimilar responses to N fertilization: aliphatic GSLs were significantly reduced under increased N rates whereas indole GSL showed the reverse. Under excess N fertilization (>1.04 g/plant), dry matter accumulation remained constant, NO 3 -N was significantly increased and total GSL content was significantly reduced, factors that could lead to an anticipated product quality decline. Conclusions The application of the critical NO 3 -N level approach used to identify optimal N fertilization rates for plant growth could serve as means to obtain optimized GSL content in the edible plant parts.