Nutrimental modifications in blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) caused by vanadium supply

Abstract

Blueberry plants prosper in acid environments with pH 4.5, condition that enhances vanadium (V) bioavailability. In different species, literature reports nutrimental modifications caused by V, nevertheless in blueberry plants this effect remains unknown. This study assessed the impact of six vanadium (V) doses in nutrient solutions (0, 20, 40, 80, 160 µM) and as foliar sprays (20 µM) on blueberry plants, employing a completely randomized experimental design with three replicates. At 66 days after applying the treatments, nutriments concentrations in leaves, stems and roots of each plant were determinate. Except for N, V modified nutrimental concentrations in at least one plant organ. V applied to foliage benefits Mn (67%) in leaf, as Ca (56%), Mg (40%), B (26%) and Mn (46%) did in stems and P (50%) in roots. No matter V concentration in solution, P (51%), Fe (270%) and Cu (230%) in roots are enhanced, but Mo it is reduced up to 6 times. The use of 160 µM of V in solutions increases Mg (40%) concentrations in stems, the same happened in Ca (32%) and Zn (47%) in roots but reduced K (35%) in this organ. V applied from 0 to 160 µM in solution increases 3, 64, 225 times V concentration in leaf, stem and roots respectively. These results show that V applications in solution benefits P levels in leaf, Ca and Mg in stem, P, Ca and Mg in root; while foliar spray enhances K, Ca, Mg concentration in stem and Mg in root.

Keywords

• heavy metal
• hydroponics
• macronutrients
• micronutrients
• toxic