Growth and Nutritional Status of Petunia and Tomato Seedlings with Acidified Irrigation Water

Seed of Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. ‘Champion’ and Petunia hybrida Vilm. ‘Snow Cloud’ were irrigated with either nonacidified solution (0.15, 0.30, or 0.45 ml) of 75% H 3 PO 4 ·liter −1 ; or 0.11, 0.20, or 0.26 ml of 46.5% H 2 SO 4 ·liter −1 . Germination was not affected by acidification, yet seedling growth was enhanced for both species. Growing medium and plant shoots were analyzed for N, P, K, Ca, and Mg content. Although nutrient levels were affected by acidification, no nutrient deficiency or phytotoxicity due to irrigation water acidification was evident.