Yield and Mineral Content of Stinging Nettle as Affected by Nitrogen Fertilization

Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica L.) is a valuable multifunctional plant species, mainly collected from natural habitats, but, quality of such plant material is rather variable. Cultivation of the plant allows for controlling some environmental factors and enhances the quality of the product. The goal of this research was to determine the influence of different doses of nitrogen fertilization (۰, ۱۰۰, and ۲۰۰ kg N ha-۱) on yield, dry matter content, crude proteins and mineral content in stinging nettle herbage collected at flowering time. Results of the study showed that nitrogen fertilization had a negative effect on the amount of dry matter, content of phosphorus, potassium, and trace elements. Crude proteins significantly increased with use of larger amounts of nitrogen fertilizer and the highest value was recorded in the last harvest at ۲۰۰ kg N ha-۱ (۱۸۰.۰ g kg-۱). The amount of iron measured in this research was very variable (۰.۶۲-۲.۹۶ g kg-۱) and much higher compared to the other studies on stinging nettle and similar leafy vegetables rich in iron. The highest total yield of fresh stinging nettle herbagewas achieved at ۲۰۰ kg N ha-۱ (۱۵.۱۸ t ha-۱), however, in the absence of nitrogen fertilization, the highest values of mineral composition and dry matter content were recorded.