Mineral nutrient content of soil and roots of Solanum paniculatum L.

Abstract

Solanum paniculatum L., a species endemic to tropical America and used in folk medicine in the treatment of anemia, hepatic and digestive disorders, has been widely studied. However, to date, no previous studies on correlations between the contents of mineral nutrients in plant roots with their contents in soil have been reported. The aim of this study was to determine the main mineral nutrients found in S. paniculatum roots and the soil in their natural habitat. It was observed that S. paniculatum roots grow in soils rich in calcium and had a positive correlation in the concentration of Ca with Fe, Na and K and a negative correlation with Zn and Mg. The results contribute to the knowledge of mineral nutrients in S. paniculatum as well as to its cultivation.