Assessment the effect of phosphorus on plant growth of purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.)

Abstract

Phosphorus is vital to plant growth and its functions cannot be performed by any other nutrients. The adequate supply of P is required for optimum growth and reproduction. Phosphorus is classified as a major nutrient meaning that it is frequently deficient for crop production and is required by crop in relatively large amount. Field experiments were conducted during 2 seasons (summer 2016-2017) to investigate the effect of P level on growth of purslane throughout 3 stages (vegetative, flowering and fruiting). The results of this study revealed that, in the first season, the mean values of total leaves, axis length, leaf area, fresh weight of leaves and flowers number were significantly increased with increased of the level of P. In the second season for the three stages (vegetative, flowering and fruiting) the results revealed that numbers of branches, leaves in each branch and total leaves were significantly decreased when P level increased, while axis length, leaves area, flowers number fresh and dry weights of leaves were significantly increased with increasing in P level.

Keywords: Purslane, phosphorus, leaf area, number of flowers.