The effects of nitrogen nutrition on light interception parameters

Abstract

Parameters of light interception have an important role in plant growth and dry matter production. Those parameters are: leaf area index (LAI), cumulative interception (CI), light interception (I) and light use efficiency (LUE). The aim of the presented research was to investigate the effect of nitrogen nutrition on light interception parameters and dry matter production and their relationships. A field experiment with leek was set up under nitrogen fertilization on a cambic soil. Nitrogen was incorporated in soil either as one-off or split dose and during experimental period light interception parameters were measured and calculated as well as dry matter production. The obtained results showed that light interception parameters and dry matter production increased over the vegetation period. Comparison of applied fertilizers methods showed that the split application technique had a better effect on light interception parameters, dry matter production and growth than the one-off dose. The split dose method also achieved better nitrogen utilisation over the vegetation period than the one-off dose.