Articles
EFFECT OF FERTILIZATION METHOD ON CONTAINERISED NATIVE PLANT GROWTH, NUTRIENT UPTAKE AND NUTRIENT LOSS
Article number
813_91
Pages
649 – 656
Language
English
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.
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.
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
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