CHARACTERIZATION OF NUTRIENT DISORDERS OF GOMPHRENA GLOBOSA ‘LAS VEGAS PURPLE’

Diagnostic criteria of nutrient disorders of globe amaranth (Gomphrena globosa) were absent from the literature.
Therefore, ‘Las Vegas Purple’ globe amaranth plants were grown in silica-sand culture to induce and photograph symptoms of nutritional disorders.
Plants were grown with a complete modified Hoagland’s all-nitrate solution (macronutrient concentrations in mM) 15 NO₃-N, 1.0 PO₄-P, 6.0 K, 5.0 Ca, 2.0 Mg, and 2.0 SO₄-S plus (micronutrient concentrations in M) 72 Fe, 18 Mn, 3 Cu, 3 Zn, 45 B, and 0.1 Mo.
Nutrient-deficiency treatments were induced with a complete nutrient formula minus one of the nutrients.
Reagent grade chemicals and deionized water of 18-megohms purity were used to formulate treatment solutions.
Boron toxicity was also induced by increasing the element 10× higher than the complete nutrient formula.
Plants were monitored daily to document and photograph sequential series of symptoms as they developed.
Typical symptomology of nutrient disorders and critical tissue concentrations are presented.
Out of thirteen treatments, eleven exhibited symptomology.
Symptoms of N, P, and S deficiencies and B toxicity manifested early; therefore, these disorders may be more likely problems encountered by growers.
Based on this research, growers will be able to recognize and avoid nutritional disorders of globe amaranth plants grown in peat-based substrates.

International Symposium on Responsible Peatland Management and Growing Media Production

J. Barnes, B. Whipker, I. McCall, J. Frantz

deficiency and toxicity, globe amaranth, macronutrients, micronutrients, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2013.982.6