Articles
COMPARING CONTROLLED RELEASE FERTILIZERS TO CONSTANT LIQUID FEED FOR ZONAL GERANIUM PRODUCTION
Article number
1034_66
Pages
525 – 529
Language
English
Abstract
Geranium plants were grown using controlled release fertilizers (CRFs) or constant liquid feed.
Treatments included Osmocote Start 12-11-17, Osmocote Plus 16-9-12 (5.55 and 4.17 kg.m-3, respectively) or a liquid fertilizer 15-5-15 (200 mg.L-1 N). Treatments with controlled release fertilizers were incorporated into the substrate prior to transplant.
The experiment was a complete block design with four plots of three treatments with six sub-plots (individual plants) per plot.
Each plot consisted of six individual pots of a single treatment contained within a trough to facilitate leachate collection.
Plants were irrigated using a drip irrigation system with separate pumps for each treatment.
Pots containing controlled release fertilizer were irrigated with clear water.
Irrigation volumes were adjusted as needed to maintain leaching fractions of 15-20%. Plants treated with controlled release fertilizers had similar dry weights as those treated with constant liquid feed.
Substrate pH levels were moderately higher throughout the crop cycle when CRFs were used as compared to water-soluble fertilizer.
Since substrate EC levels were significantly lower when CRFs were used, growers will have to adjust the thresholds when monitoring substrate nutrient status based on EC levels.
Treatments included Osmocote Start 12-11-17, Osmocote Plus 16-9-12 (5.55 and 4.17 kg.m-3, respectively) or a liquid fertilizer 15-5-15 (200 mg.L-1 N). Treatments with controlled release fertilizers were incorporated into the substrate prior to transplant.
The experiment was a complete block design with four plots of three treatments with six sub-plots (individual plants) per plot.
Each plot consisted of six individual pots of a single treatment contained within a trough to facilitate leachate collection.
Plants were irrigated using a drip irrigation system with separate pumps for each treatment.
Pots containing controlled release fertilizer were irrigated with clear water.
Irrigation volumes were adjusted as needed to maintain leaching fractions of 15-20%. Plants treated with controlled release fertilizers had similar dry weights as those treated with constant liquid feed.
Substrate pH levels were moderately higher throughout the crop cycle when CRFs were used as compared to water-soluble fertilizer.
Since substrate EC levels were significantly lower when CRFs were used, growers will have to adjust the thresholds when monitoring substrate nutrient status based on EC levels.
Authors
B.A. Krug, A. Papineau, J.S. Owen, Jr.
Keywords
electrical conductivity, pH, leaching, growth, Pelargonium ×hortorum
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