Effects of Nitrogen on Chlorophyll, Acidity, Ascorbic Acid, and Carbohydrate Fractions of Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.

Abstract

N was supplied as NO3 or NH4, at 140 or 2.8 mg. per litre of nutrient solution. Green parts of healthy leaves had a higher percentage of dry matter, chlorophyll, carotenoids, acidity (as citric acid), ascorbic acid, and sugars in high-N than in low-N cultures, irrespective of N-type. Starch in green leaves was greater in high-N than in low-N for NO3 but the reverse held for NH4. The effects are fully discussed.