Solution‐Culture Studies of Nitrite Toxicity to Plants

Abstract

Solution‐culture studies of the toxicity of nitrites to plants were undertaken, using several rapidly growing species as indicator plants. Three to four weeks' growth of the test plants in complete nutrient solutions containing graded amounts of nitrous acid (varying nitrite and pH levels) disclosed that growth inhibition in the pH 4.0, 5.0, and 6.0 solutions was related to the undissociated nitrous acid fraction. Experiments with tomato plants suggested that a given concentration of nitrous acid is less injurious to the plant when the nitrogen assimilable by the plant is supplied as nitrate rather than as ammonium.

Nitrogen Mineralization and Nitrification in Amended Colliery Spoils

“…Only traces of NO -N are usually found in neutral and acid soils (Scarsbrook 1965). More than a few ppm is toxic to most plants and Bingham, Chapman & Pugh (1954) showed that toxicity was greatest in acid conditions in the presence of NH'-N.…”

Ammonium, Nitrite and Nitrate Accumulation in Three Manitoba Soils as Influenced by Added Ammonium Sulfate and Urea

“…There is evidence that the nitrite so accumulated is injurious to plants, especially in its efiect on germination and early growth (3,7). Also, a close relationship may exist between nitrite in soils and the loss of nitrogen in gaseous form (1,8,15 nitrifying rate, followed by Lakeland and Holland soils in that order (Fig.…”

Effects of Drying on Nitrification Activity in Zeoponic Medium Used for Long-Term Space Missions

“…Week 3 plant growth perspective, accumulation of NO 2 may be a problem because high concentrations of NO 2 are toxic to plants (6,8,15,17).…”