Effect of calcium, boron and potassium on the initial growth of Mentha spicata (L.) in nutrient solution

Abstract

Calcium, boron and potassium are important nutrients in plant growth and development, contributing to cell division, cell wall lining, nutrient transport via the plasma membrane, enzymatic activation, nutrient and metabolic translocation via xylem and phloem, biosynthesis and metabolism of carbohydrates, pigments, chromoproteins among other effects. The objective of this work was to demonstrate the physiological effects of Ca, B, and K on the initial growth of Mentha spicata (L.). For the development of this work, a research and bibliographic review was carried out with preliminary tests carried out in 2017/2018 in the Multidisciplinary laboratories of Chemistry, Biochemistry in the premises of the Unigran Capital Faculty, Campo Grande/MS. Mentha spicata (L.) was used to investigate the effects of Ca, B and K, for seedling height, seedling stem diameter, plant tissue analysis, leaf area and chlorophyll, number of stomata and seedling fresh weight. Among the results obtained, it is highlighted that the nutrient solution at concentrations of 0.75% and 1% contributed to the increase in seedlings, average length of roots, shoots, leaf area and fresh mass. After verifying the essential oil yield in the leaves and stems, there were no significant differences in the treatments.