Effects of Supplemental Cations on Growth and Nitrogen Accumulation in Canna indica L.

Abstract

The effects of supplemental cations on growth, nitrogen, and mineral accumulation were assessed in Canna indica L. Similar sized 45 days-old plants were grown on a nutrient solution modified from Hoagland and Arnon (1950). The different cations were added to generate 6 treatments (n=4): (i) control (no cation added), (ii) 2.5 mM K+, (iii) 2.5 mM Ca2+, (iv) 75 mM Na+, (v) 1.25 mM K+ + 1.25 mM Ca2+ and (vi) 2.5 mM Ca2+ + 75 mM Na+, respectively. An experiment was carried out in the greenhouse for 49 days. The study found that supplemental K+ and K++ Ca2+ increased plant growth and total biomass. The highest SER was found in plants receiving supplemental K+. In contrast, SERs, leaf areas, and total biomass decreased in Na+ or Na++Ca2+ supplemented plants. The accumulated NO3- concentration (at the whole plant level) was also highest in the plants with supplemental K+ and K++Ca2+. The total nitrogen accumulation was higher in the K+, Ca2+, and K++Ca2+ supplemented plants than in the control plants. The results suggest that supplemental cations particularly K+ can enhance plant growth and nitrogen accumulation in C. indica. Therefore, cation supplementation could be an alternative technique to stimulate plant growth and improve nitrate removal in constructed wetlands.