Gas Exchange and Nitrogen Compartmentalization of Eggplant under Nitrogen and Silicon Doses

To evaluate the effect of fertilization with N and Si on gaseous exchanges, dry mass, concentrations, accumulations and compartmentalization of nitrogen fractions in eggplant.

The experimental design was a randomized entirely design, in a 5 x 4 factorial arrangement with four replications and one plant per plot, totaling 80 experimental units.

The experiment was conducted in a protected environment at Center of Sciences and Agri-Food Technology of the Federal University of Campina Grande, Campus of Pombal, Paraiba, Brazil, between July and September 2016. The nitrogen doses applied was 25, 125, 250, 350 and 500 mg dm-3 and four silicon doses was 0, 75, 150 and 200 mg dm-3 both supplied by root. In pre-flowering stage were evaluated growth components; gas exchange, which are: photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate and intercellular CO2 concentration; levels and accumulation of fractions of nitrogen (NO3-, NH4+, and total), and the silicon concentration in the leaves. There was no significant interaction (p >0.05) between the factors nitrogen and silicon doses for any of the evaluated variables. Nitrogen and silicon doses influenced the variables evaluated only independently each other. The nitrogen doses promoted increases in the photosynthetic rate and associated variables, dry matter yield of stem leaves and roots and in the concentration and accumulations of nitric, ammoniacal and total nitrogen in leaf, stem e roots and decrease the concentration of silicon in leaves. The silicon doses increased the leaf area index, the nitrate levels and accumulation in the roots and the silicon content in the leaves. In conclusion, the nitrogen supply increased the photosynthetic rate, dry mass and nitrogen accumulation and decreased the concentrations of silicon in leaf. Silicon did not interfered with growth of eggplant, however increased leaf area index, decreased nitrate levels and accumulations in the roots at lower doses of this element.