Nutrients content in seedlings of pigeonpea and lablab under the effect of aluminum in the nutrient solution

Abstract

This research was carried out to determine the nutrients content in seedlings of pigeonpea and lablab under the effect of aluminum in the nutrient solution. The experiment consisted in germinating pigeonpea and lablab in sand, for 0 days, and transferring to flasks containing Clark's nutrient solution with four aluminum concentrations (0.0, 0.25, 0.5 and .0 mmolc dm-3). The experiment was conducted for 20 days under a photoperiod of 2 hours and controlled temperatures. The N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Mn, Cu and Fe contents were determined. A completely random design in a factorial arrangement 2x4 was used with three replications. The aluminum concentrations did not cause any significant effect on N, S and Fe contents in pigeonpea and lablab, but reduced K, Mg and Mn. Also, at low aluminum concentrations a reduction of Cu content was observed in lablab. The high P and/or Ca content is indicative of plant tolerance to aluminum. However, pigeonpea and lablab can be considered aluminum-sensitive plants, due the significant reduction of these elements under aluminum stress in hydroponics.Additional keywords: Cajanus cajan; Lablab purpureus; mineral nutrition; toxicity; aluminum sulphate.