Abstract

YU-KUI, Rui; SHI-LING, Jiang; FU-SUO, Zhang  and  JIAN-BO, Shen. Effects of nitrogen fertilizer input on the composition of mineral elements in corn grain. Agrociencia [online]. 2009, vol.43, n.1, pp.21-27. ISSN 2521-9766.

Excessive and inappropriate application of industrial N fertilizer can result in severe environmental and ecological problems, but whether the input of N fertilizer could affect the composition of mineral elements in corn has not been reported. Effects of input of N fertilizer on the composition of mineral elements (Se, Mo, I, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Ca, Cr, K, Na, and Mg), in corn grain were investigated by ICP-MS (inductive coupling plasma-mass spectrometry). Se, I, Mn, Fe, Zn, Cr, K and Ca were significantly lower in the treatments with N fertilizer compared to a control without N fertilizer. There was a significant negative conrrelation (R) between four mineral elements and N fertilizer input: I, -0.71; Zn, -0.65; Ca, -0.75; K, -0.89. Therefore appropriate reduction of N fertilizer input cannot only prevent environmental problems from excessive application of industrial N fertilizer, besides it might reduce the problem of malnutrition induced by mineral elements deficiency.

Keywords : Corn grain; ICP-MS; plant nutrition; trace elements; urea.

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