Root‐zone temperature affects nutrient uptake and growth of snapdragon

Abstract Nutrient uptake by snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus L. ‘Peoria') was compared at five root‐zone temperatures: 8, 15, 22, 29, and 36°C. Uptake of nitrate (NO3 ‐‐N), ammonium (NH4 +‐N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), boron (B), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) responded quadratically to increasing root‐zone temperature. Greatest nutrient uptake temperature varied with nutrient but ranged from 15 to 29°C. Uptake of copper (Cu) and molybdenum (Mo) were unaffected by root‐zone temperature. Dry weight gain and stem length also responded quadratically to increasing root‐zone temperature. Optimal temperatures for nutrient uptake and growth were similar, averaging 22°C. These results indicate increasing or maintaining root‐zone temperatures near 22°C maximizes growth and nutrient uptake of snapdragons.