The mineral nutrition of Luffa aegyptiaca

Abstract

Five greenhouse experiments and a field experiment were carried out to determine the nutrient requirements of Luffa aegyptiaca L. by quantitatively determining the effects of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and calcium on its growth in sand culture and in poor lateritic soil. The effects of three pH regimes were also investigated. The species grew best at pH 6.5. When grown in a medium of pH 3.5, there was a significant reduction in growth at low nutrient levels, but at high nutrient levels there was no appreciable reduction in growth. The lack of any of the four nutrient elements limited growth in sand culture, but nitrogen and phosphorus seem to be the major elements limiting growth in the poor lateritic soil with calcium being required in lesser quantities. Suggestions were also made as to the possible application of these results to increase the production of L. aegyptiaca fruits, the fibrous interiors of which are now in great demand as sponges.