Effect of phosphorus, copper, and zinc addition on the phosphorus/copper and phosphorus/zinc interaction in lettuce

Abstract

The effect of phosphorus (P), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) addition on the P‐Cu and P‐Zn interaction in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) was analyzed following a factorial design. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse. Two levels of P (62 and 224 ppm), three levels of Zn (0, 0.17, and 0.34 ppm), and three levels of Cu (0, 0.03, and 0.06 ppm) were applied in all combinations to lettuce grown in perlite. The influence of the different treatments on the leaf P concentration suggests that the P‐Cu interaction was positive, whereas P‐Zn was negative. An increase in root absorption and retention and a decrease in translocation to leaves were observed for Zn and Cu when the nutrient solution was supplied at a luxurious consumption level of P.