ISHS Acta Horticulturae 813: VI International Symposium on New Floricultural Crops
EFFECT OF FERTILIZATION METHOD ON CONTAINERISED NATIVE PLANT GROWTH, NUTRIENT UPTAKE AND NUTRIENT LOSS |
| Authors: | J.I. Contreras, M.L. García, M.L. Segura, B.M. Plaza, S. Jiménez, M.T. Lao |
| Keywords: | nutrient level, Osmocote, fertigation, controlled release fertilizer |
| Abstract:
The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of different fertilization methods (fertigation and slow release fertilizers) on the biomass production, N, P and K uptake and leaching of Iberis carnosa, Teucrium capitatum and Thymus longiflorus Boiss grown in containers. The experiment was conducted in a polyethylene greenhouse located in Almería (Spain). Plants of I. carnosa, T. capitatum and T. longiflorus Boiss, obtained from seeds were grown in a polyethylene greenhouse in containers filled with a mixture of perlite, blond peat and coir (3:1:1 v/v/v) on the 25th of March, 2004. The experiment was concluded at the full flowering stage. Two fertilization methods were applied: controlled release fertilizer (CRF), Osmocote Plus 16:8:12 (8-9 month release at 20°C) mixed with the substrate (O) at pre-planting or fertigation (F). Two nutrient levels within each method were studied. The treatments were: O1 (5 g L-1 Osmocote), O2 (7 g L-1 Osmocote), F1 (3.0 mM N, 0.4 mM P and 2.0-2.5 mM K) and F2 (5.0 mM N 0.6-0.7 mM P and 3-4 mM K). The crop cycle, from transplanting to flowering, lasted 123 days for Iberis and Teucrium, and 88 days for Thymus. The application of Osmocote Plus 16:8:12 mixed with the growing substrate is more efficient in the production of good quality Iberis, Teucrium and Thymus pot plants. | |
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