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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Morris, Minnesota » Soil Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #118959
Title: EFFECT OF VANADIUM AND NUTRIENT IONIC RATIOS ON GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF CUPHEA

Author
item Olness, Alan
item Gesch, Russell - Russ
item Forcella, Frank
item Archer, David
item Voorhees, Ward

Submitted to: American Oil Chemists' Society Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/16/2001
Publication Date: 5/16/2001
Citation: OLNESS, A.E., GESCH, R.W., FORCELLA, F., ARCHER, D.W., VOORHEES, W.B. EFFECT OF VANADIUM AND NUTRIENT IONIC RATIOS ON GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF CUPHEA. AMERICAN OIL CHEMISTS' SOCIETY. 2001. ABSTRACT P. S80-S81.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Successful development of a new oil seed crop requires identification of field fertility needs and consequences along with coordinated breeding to develop optimal crop traits, especially root development. Cuphea seed contains several oils that have commercial application. However, little is known regarding its optimal mineral nutritional requirements or responses to inhibiting elements. Oil seed crops often need additional phosphorus (P to achieve optimal economic yield. Recent work has shown that vanadium (V), a commonly occurring soil constituent, interferes with plant P uptake and earlier work showed that V is a factor in lipid metabolism. A hydroponic growth chamber experiment was conducted to evaluate the relative effect of V:(V+P) molar ratios on cuphea growth and development. Relative root length, root surface area, root weight, and aerial dry weights decreased at a near exponential rate as the V:(V+P) ratio increased from 0 to 0.2. In contrast to field observations of other crops, additions of Mg to increase the Mg:(Mg+Ca) ratio further decreased plant growth by as much 50%. Root length was decreased by about 50% of the control when grown in 3.05 mmolar V but relative root area and dry weight were decreased by > 75% of the control when grown in 3.05 mmolar V. Increases in V concentration were evidenced by sharply reduced secondary and higher order lateral branching. Reduction in root growth was accompanied by a general chlorotic appearance. Poor root development often leads to susceptibility to drought stress with reduction in carbohydrate and oil contents in the seed and a greater degree of embryo abortion and reduction in oilseed yield.