Elemental composition of Sugar-cane leaf and stem in relation to nitrogen deficiency

Abstract

NITROGEN deficiency has been known to bring about certain specific changes in growth, physiology and composition of sugar-cane plants1,2. Its effect on mineral composition is less clearly understood. To throw light on this problem, sugar-cane variety Co 453 was grown in (1) Hoagland's complete nutrient culture, and (2) Hoagland's nitrogen-deficient culture for the entire life-cycle3. Percentages of nitrogen, P2O5, K2O, calcium, magnesium and sulphur in sugar-cane leaf and stem were estimated at maturity according to standard methods of analysis and expressed as percentages of dry weight. © 1951 Nature Publishing Group.