Resumo

PEDRAZA, Rafael  e  HENAO, Martha C.. Mineral composition of plant tissue in relation to growth variables and soil nutrients levels in commercial crops of mint (Mentha spicata L.). Agron. colomb. [online]. 2008, vol.26, n.2, pp.186-196. ISSN 0120-9965.

The objective of this study was characterizing the chemical composition of plant tissue in mint and its relation to the mineral concentration in soil. The fresh weight, dry weight, height and number of knots, and the elemental concentration in aerial part of plants from 35 commercial crops at the time of harvesting were evaluated, as well as the soil chemical properties. The concentration of macronutrients in the plant tissue of mint showed the next order (% dm): K (1.07-7.23) gt; N (1.57-4.74) gt; Ca (0.66-1.36) gt; P (0.24-0.64) gt; Mg (0.14-0.60), and that one for the microelements (mg·kg^-1): Fe (89-596), Mn (19-303), Zn (47-134), B (16-108), Cu (8-13). No significant relations between the nutrients in soil and plant that permit to explain, in some degree, the growth variables were found. We would find significant correlations between Mg and P in soil and their concentrations in plants (r=0,65** y 0,60* respectively) and between Mn in soil and its concentration in plant (r=-0,60*). The best correlation was found between the K/ Mg ratio in soil and Mg in plant tissue (r=-0,73**) making these clear the antagonism between both nutrients and importance of cation balance in soil. The concentration of nutrients in mint was similar to the one reported in the other crops. In general, we can say that soils cultivated with mint donacute;t show limitations in regards to nutrient availability, probably, due to the intensive management of fertilization.

Palavras-chave : plant nutrition; plant analysis; soil analysis.

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