Effects of shading and urea application on growth and nitrate accumulation of Culantro (Eryngium foetidum L.)

Abstract

Growth and nitrate accumulation in culantro grown under 0, 50, 60, 70 and 80% shading and 0, 7.5,15 and 30 kg/rai of urea application rates were investigated. Decreased shading percentage and increased ureaapplication rate enhanced plant growth. The greatest plant growth occurred under 50% shading and 30 kg/rai ofurea application rate. Plant growth significantly declined under 80% shading regardless of urea application rate. Thereduction of shading percentage and urea application rate resulted in decreased nitrate accumulation. The highestnitrate accumulation in shoot and root were 1,175.0 and 1,634.7 mg/kg fresh weight (FW), respectively, under 80%shading and 30 kg/rai of urea application rate. Nitrate accumulation was fairly low under open field, and nitrate wasaccumulated as 341.0 and 295.0 mg/kg FW in shoot and root, respectively, under 30 kg/rai of urea application rate.