Determination of Nutrient Content of Gagea bohemica (Liliaceae) in Turkey

Mineral nutrients are essential for the growth and survival of a plant. In particular, bulbous plants such as Gagea bohemica (Zauschn.) Schultes & Schultes f. store nutrients and use them in metabolic activities during dormancy. The main aim of the present research is to reveal the micro- and macronutrient contents of G. bohemica. The soil and plant (bulbs, stem, and leaf parts) samples were taken from the southeast of Aksaray in Turkey at an altitude of 1320 m above sea level in April 2021. The amount of nutrients (Zn, S, P, Ni, Mn, Mg, K, Fe, Cu, Ca, Ba, and Al) in these samples were determined by ICPMS. Afterwards, these data were analyzed statistically. Zn, Fe, K, and Ca values in soil were within reference values, whereas Al (65,000 ± 1000-75,000 ± 3000 mg/kg), Cu (20 ± 2-46 ± 0.1 mg/kg), Mg (15,000 ± 1000-21,000 ± 1000 mg/kg), Mn (606 ± 2-751 ± 24 mg/kg), and Ni (75 ± 7-100 ± 10 mg/kg) values were above. Our results indicate an accumulation of nutrients in the soil where G. bohemica grows. Similarly, the concentrations of Zn, K, Cu, and Ca in the bulbs of the plant were among the reference values, while Al (14,900 ± 500 mg/kg), Fe (15,700 ± 200 mg/kg), Mg (7600 ± 300 mg/kg), Mn (321 ± 15 mg/kg), and Ni (81 ± 1 mg/kg) ratios were higher than optimal. Additionally, we found that G. bohemica effectively accumulates Al, Fe, Mg, and Ni in its shoot tissues. Monitoring this plant in terms of macro and micronutrients will provide more detailed information about its ecological features and habitat properties. In this way, it will be possible to carry out the cultivation of the species in suitable conditions and effective species protection and ensure sustainability.