SOME ASPECTS OF THE NUTRITION OF PROTEAS

Several protea species were grown in sand cultures where the influence of salt concentration, N, P, K and Na supply and N source on their growth and nutrient uptake were studied.
Nutrients were supplied by means of a half strength Hoagland nutrient solution modified to supply N mainly as NH₄.

Species differences in response to the treatments were observed and these differences were also found for a single species from different localities.

The largest differences were obtained by varying the N supply.
Some species did not grow well with NO₃ only while all did well with NH₄ only.
Relatively high concentrations of NH₄ could be tolerated.
With the addition of Na to the nutrient solution even higher NH₄ concentrations could be tolerated.

All species were sensitive to high P concentrations.
Relatively high total salt concentrations could be tolerated if the P concentration was within acceptable limits.
Relatively low concentrations of the various nutrients are required for normal growth.

I International Protea Research Symposium

A.S. Claassens

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1986.185.18