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Pak. J. Bot., 48(1): 67-74, 2016.

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CITRIC ACID IN THE NUTRIENT SOLUTION INCREASES THE MINERAL ABSORPTION IN POTTED TOMATO GROWN IN CALCAREOUS SOIL

FABIÁN PÉREZ-LABRADA, ADALBERTO BENAVIDES-MENDOZA^*, LUIS ALONSO VALDEZ-AGUILAR AND VALENTÍN ROBLEDO-TORRES

Abstract: Calcareous soils have low availability of mineral nutrients that are essential for crops. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of citric acid (CA) applied in a nutrient solution on the composition of the pore water of a calcareous soil and its correlation with the chemical composition and quality of the tomato plants and fruits. The experimental design was a randomized block; the treatments were different concentrations of CA added to the Steiner nutrient solution. We used CA at 10^-2, 10^-4 and 10^-6 M and a test treatment without CA. A decrease in the electrical conductivity (EC) and oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) was observed in soil pore water (SPW), as well as changes in the concentrations of Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺ and K⁺ in response to the addition of CA. The concentrations of Zn, Na, Ca, and N increased in leaves, whereas in the fruit, the concentrations of Mn, Na, Mg, and P increased. Significant correlations arise between Na⁺ and Mg²⁺ (R=0.60), Na⁺ and Ca²⁺ (R=0.68), and Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺ (R=0.76) in the soil pore water, as well as a significant negative correlation (R=-0.73) between the concentration of K⁺ in the soil pore water and the concentration of Mg in stems and leaves. No relationship arises between the mineral content in the fruits and the mineral composition of the SPW. The addition of CA changed the chemical composition of the soil pore water and plant tissues. CA at 10^-6 M increased the fruit production per plant significantly.

Key words: Calcareous soil, Nutrient, Citric acid, Tomato

Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro, Departamento de Horticultura, Calzada Antonio Narro 1923, Saltillo, Coah., México, C.P. 25315

^*Corresponding author’s email: abenmen@gmail.com