ISHS Acta Horticulturae 450: International Symposium Growing Media and Plant Nutrition in Horticulture
NITROGEN AVAILABILITY IN COMPOSTED CORK |
| Authors: | E. Carmona, J. Ordovás, M.C. Ortega, M.T. Aguado |
| Keywords: | Bark, growing media, N immobilization |
| Abstract:
Previous studies showed that plants grown in fresh cork (Quercus suber L. bark) had a reduced growth compared with peat and low rates of N. In composted cork, however, plant growth was similar with those in peat, but the N content of plants was still slightly lower. The purpose of this study was to investigate N availability in fresh and composted cork during 4, 5.5 and 7 months, using peat as control medium. The substrates were also incubated at 25°C during 60 days after adding 0.25, 1.0, 1.75 or 3.0 g ammonium nitrate per 1 of substrate. Samples were taken periodically to measure NO3-N, NH4-N and total N. Also the Nitrogen Drawdown Index (NDI) for the addition of 75 mg.1-1 N and 150 mg.l-1 N was measured after incubation at 25°C. N immobilization rates were well correlated to NDI. NH and soluble N drawed down rapidly in cork substrates while total N stayed constant. High rates of ammonium nitrate should be added to maintain a constant level of available N to plants in cork. | |
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