The Impact of Urea-to-Nitrate Ratios on growth indices Phytochemical Compounds in Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni) in Soilless Culture

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran

2 Department of Plant Production and Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran

10.30466/asr.2025.55833.1869

Abstract

source and amount of nitrogen-containing fertilizers in soilless cultivation significantly affects the phytochemical compounds of medicinal plants and production costs. This study was conducted to compare the effects of various urea-to-nitrate ratios with a common ammonium-to-nitrate solution regarding growth and the phytochemical compounds in the leaves of Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni( in a soilless cultivation system, performed as a completely randomized block with three replications. The urea-to-nitrate ratios were tested at five levels: 0:100, 25:75, 50:50, 75:25, and 100:0, while the ammonium-to-nitrate ratio of 10:90 was considered as the control treatment. The results indicated a significant difference between the various urea-to-nitrate ratios and the ammonium-to-nitrate solution (control) concerning the yield of stevioside (p ≤0.001) and the yield of rebaudioside A and C (p ≤0.001). The highest yield of stevioside (2.3 grams per pot) and rebaudioside C (2.3 grams per pot) was obtained with an ammonium-to-nitrate ratio of 10:90. Different urea-to-nitrate ratios did not cause a significant difference in nitrate absorption, fresh and dry weight of the plant and plant height, leaf area and number. It can be concluded that the ammonium-to-nitrate ratio of 10:90 can be used as the optimal ratio in nutrient solutions in soilless culture, to enhance the phytochemical compounds of Stevia, particularly glycosides.

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References

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Applied Soil Research
Volume 13, Issue 2 - Serial Number 2
September 2025
Pages 56-64

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History

  • Receive Date: 27 December 2024
  • Revise Date: 08 February 2025
  • Accept Date: 09 February 2025

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