The experiments were carried out in 2002-2005, at the Chair of Vegetable Cultivation of the Agricultural University in Szczecin (currently Chair of Horticulture, West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin). The aim of the study was to estimate the effect of age of grown plants on the content of macro- and microelements in leaves of garlic chives. Seeds of chives were sown on 10th April, directly to the soil, at a density of 30×20 cm, 12 seeds per point. The content of macro- and microelements was assessed in the harvested yield. After mineralization of plant dry matter in a mixture of H2SO4 and H2O, the content of total nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium and sulphur was determined. The content of copper, zinc, manganese and iron was assessed after mineralization of plant dry matter in a mixture of HNO3 and HClO4. The research material consisted of one-, two- and three-year-old plants. A significant effect of the age of garlic chives on the content of macro- and microelements in the yield was found. One- and three-year-old garlic chives were characterized by a higher content of nitrogen while two-year-old plants contained less nitrogen. The highest content of phosphorus was determined in three-year-old garlic chives. However, the least amount of this element was found in one-year-old plants. The highest content of sodium was noted in yield of three-year-old plants, while the least Na was in two-year-old plants. Moreover, the highest content of calcium and magnesium was determined in the yield of two-year-old plants, and the lowest – in three-year-old ones. Three-year-old garlic chives contained less potassium and sulphur. In contrast, the highest content of these elements was determined in one-year-old plants. The highest content of copper was assessed in one-year-old garlic chives, and the lowest – in three-year-old plants. The yield of one-year-old plants contained significantly more zinc in comparison with two- and three-year-old ones. However, the highest content of manganese was noted in three-year-old plant leaves and the lowest – in leaves of two-year-old plants. Three-year-old garlic chives were characterized by a significantly higher content of iron in comparison with one- and two-year-old plants.

18.3.2013