Abstract

FUENTES-CARVAJAL, Andreína; VELIZ, José A  and  IMERY BUIZA, José. EFFECT OF MACRONUTRIENT DEFICIENCY ON THE VEGETATIVE DEVELOPMENT OF Aloe vera. INCI [online]. 2006, vol.31, n.2, pp.1-2. ISSN 0378-1844.

Plants of Aloe vera were grown for six months in a complete nutrient solution, in distilled water (H2Od), or in solutions without nitrogen (-N), phosphorus (-P), potassium (-K), calcium (-Ca), magnesium (-Mg) or sulphur (-S), to induce deficiency symptoms and evaluate the effects on vegetative growth. In nutrient solution plants grew normally, while those cultivated in H2Od appeared similar to those cultivated in -N, but with lesser root development. Leaf dimensions, root length, volume and fresh weight were significantly affected after two months. The effects were more marked on the plants grown in -N, -P and -K. The symptoms were dwarfism and foliar reddening in -N and H2Od, shinning and paleness (-P), basipetal necrosis (-K), irregular depressions (-Mg), light chlorosis (-Ca), and paleness and basal compactation (-S). Root symptoms were thickening (-N), elongation and narrowing (-P); fragility and thinning (-K); and densification and elongation (-S). Mg deficiency was deleterious, those of, -N, -P and -K caused the greatest foliar growth inhibition and resulted in lower fresh weight values, and the absence of Ca affected growth moderately. The index offshoot dry weight/root was low for -N (2.7), while for -P it was similar to that in nutrient solution (6.1). Under K, Ca, Mg, and S deficiency, the index was larger than the control. Nutrient content analysis confirmed that the symptoms were produced by the missing nutrients. Missing nutrients reduced foliar content and absorption of other nutrients, as revealed by the ratios N/P, P/Mg, P/S and Mg/S. A. vera requires all the macronutrients for optimal growth. Visual symptoms specific to the lack of each macronutrient help identify nutrient conditions in the field.

Keywords : Aloe vera; Hidroponía; Macronutrientes.