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Use of ammonium in the development of stevia plants (Stevia rebaudiana bertoni) in hydroponic conditions

Abstract:

Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana) is a plant grown in some regions of South America, whose leaves are the element of economic interest due to their high sweetening power. Stevia seedlings were irrigated with different nutrient solutions. For preparation of the nutrient solutions the percentages between anions and cations were used constant (35% NO3, 45% P2O4, 20% SO4, 60% K+, 5% Ca++ and 35% Mg++). In some treatments included ammonium ion in varying concentrations from 0 to 3Meq. The results showed that the presence of ammonium ion in the nutrient affect the dry weight of the leaves. Values >1.7Meq caused a decrease in weight of the leaves. The concentration that showed the highest concentration of stevioles was 15Meq. The presence of ammonium ion did not affect this variable.