Nitrogen accumulation in maize affected by partial supply of phosphorus to the roots

Two split root trials were carried out in nutrient solution to evaluate nitrogen accumulation as a function of phosphorus supply applied in partial contact to maize roots. After a seven day growth period in complete nutrient solution, maize seedlings were transplanted to joint pots containing 1.6 L of nutrient solution. Roots were equally shared between the pots. In the first trial, two phosphorus levels (0.02 mmol L-1 and 0.1 mmol L-1) and phosphorus and nitrogen placement were evaluated. In the second trial, two nitrogen sources (nitrate and ammonium) and the same nitrogen and phosphorus placement design adopted in the first trial were assessed. There was a greater phosphorus accumulation in the shoots as a consequence of phosphorus supplied to the whole root system as compared to just half of it. Phosphorus supplied to part of the root system did not properly provide this nutrient to the other part, a fact which raises the possibility of inner phosphorus cycling problems in maize plants. These results were verified for nitrogen as well. When jointly supplied to the whole root system, nitrogen and phosphorus caused greater accumulation of nitrogen in the shoots.

nitrate; ammonium; phosphorus uptake; nitrogen uptake; split root