| Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate if nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) indexes can elucidate functional differences in nutrient uptake between the root system and tank of epiphytic bromeliads. The bromeliads Guzmania lingulata and Vriesea 'Harmony' received fertilizers in their tanks or through their roots using modified Hoagland & Arnon solution, with 0.00, 2.62, or 5.34 mmol L-1 nitrogen, as urea. After 90 days, nitrogen contents in leaves and plant biomass were evaluated, and NUE indexes were calculated. Guzmania lingulata and V. 'Harmony' fertilized in their tanks with 5.34 mmol L-1 had the highest averages of nitrogen uptake efficiency and recovery efficiency; those fertilized with 2.62 mmol L-1 through their roots showed the... |
