Índices de eficiência do nitrogênio para avaliação da absorção e da utilização de nitrogênio no sistema radicular e no tanque de bromélias ornamentais

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 u0027Harmonyu0027 received fertilizers in their tanks or through their roots using modified Hoagland u0026 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 . u0027Harmonyu0027 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 highest averages of NUE, nitrogen utilization efficiency, nitrogen physiological efficiency, and biomass conversion efficiency. The NUE indexes, besides being an effective tool to assess the nutritional status of ornamental bromeliads, reveal that the root system of epiphytic bromeliads is functional for nitrogen uptake and use.