Effect of nitrogen forms on vegetative growth and flower development at hydroponically grown geraniums (Pelargonium zonale × Pelargonium peltatum)

Benedik, Lucija (avtor), Zamljen, Tilen (avtor), Osterc, Gregor (avtor)

Nitrogen is an essential macronutrient that greatly influences plant metabolism, growth and development. In plants, nitrogen is taken up in the form of nitrate (NO₃⁻) or ammonium (NH₄⁺), which affect plant physiology, root and shoot growth and the transition to generative phase differently. In this study we investigated the effect of nitrate and ammonium nitrogen forms on growth and development of hydroponically grown geranium plants. Rooted cuttings were cultivated in a floating hydroponic system with four treatments, differing in the nitrate-toammonium ratio in the nutrient solution. Treatment with an equal ratio of nitrate and ammonium resulted in greatest increase in shoot and root biomass, together with higher concentrations of chlorophyll a, and ammonium nitrogen in leaves. Treatment with 80:20 ratio (NO₃⁻: NH₄⁺) also had a positive effect on biomass production. Higher nitrate ratios (90%, 100%) promoted higher flowering intensity compared to the 50% nitrate treatment. These findings suggest that a proper ratio of nitrate and ammonium can positively influence growth by increasing shoot and root biomass and enhancing leaf production. The quality of hydroponically grown geraniums can be improved through the optimization of nitrogen form ratios in the nutrient solution.

• Jezik: Angleški jezik
• Ključne besede: hydroponics, geranium, nitrate, ammonium, growth, flowering, pigments
• Vrsta gradiva: Članek v reviji
• Tipologija: 1.01 - Izvirni znanstveni članek
• Organizacija: BF - Biotehniška fakulteta
• Status publikacije: Objavljeno
• Različica publikacije: Objavljena publikacija
• Leto izida: 2026
• Št. strani: 7 str.
• Številčenje: Vol. 365, art. 114979
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-184243
• UDK: 635
• ISSN pri članku: 0304-4238
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scienta.2026.114979
• COBISS.SI-ID: 283412227
• Datum objave v RUL: 02.07.2026

Gradivo je del revije

• Naslov: Scientia horticulturae
• Skrajšan naslov: Sci. hortic.
• Založnik: Elsevier
• ISSN: 0304-4238
• COBISS.SI-ID: 5191687

Licence

• Licenca: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Priznanje avtorstva 4.0 Mednarodna
• Povezava: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.sl
• Opis: To je standardna licenca Creative Commons, ki daje uporabnikom največ možnosti za nadaljnjo uporabo dela, pri čemer morajo navesti avtorja.

Sekundarni jezik

• Jezik: Slovenski jezik
• Ključne besede: hidroponika, okrasne rastline, pelargonije, potaknjenci, gnojenje, dušična gnojila, cvetenje, rast, pigmenti

Projekti

• Financer: ARIS - Javna agencija za znanstvenoraziskovalno in inovacijsko dejavnost Republike Slovenije
• Številka projekta: P4-0013
• Naslov: Hortikultura

• Financer: ARIS - Javna agencija za znanstvenoraziskovalno in inovacijsko dejavnost Republike Slovenije
• Številka projekta: I0-0022
• Naslov: Mreža raziskovalnih infrastrukturnih centrov Univerze v Ljubljani (MRIC UL)