Dieffenbachia Growth Responses and N Leaching From Container-Grown Plants Fertilized by Several Methods

Abstract

The effect on greenhouse potted Dieffenbachia maculata 'Camille' growing on 80% unfertilised blond peat (pH 6.0) and 20% perlite (v/v) of different fertilization methods has been studied. The fertilization treatments were: F (control) -Standard fertigation (9,7 meq N L -1 ; 10% NH 4 + -N; 1,4 meq P L -1 ; 4,3 meq K L -1 ); CF-30% of total N applied as soluble complex 17-8-14 (11,1% NH 4 + -N and stabilized with DMPP) and 70% of total N like F; BF -Basacote Plus (16-8-12; 3,0 g L -1 ) + 50 % of total N equal to F; C-70% of total N as soluble complex 17-8-14 (11,1% NH 4 + -N stabilized with DMPP). The experimental design was unifactorial with 29 pots per treatment. During the experiment nitrogen concentrations (nitrate and ammonium) in the leached solution were analysed; finally, height, leaf area, dry matter content and total concentration of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium were determined. The fertilization method had a significant effect on the crop vegetative and bioproductive parameters, showing the treatments with complex fertilizers (CF and C) highest values of leaf area, plant height and dry matter production. Plant N concentrations were lower in treatments CF and BF than in control treatment. Treatment C had similar results than those of F; however, and due to higher biomass production, treatment C showed higher N extraction index and uptake efficiency. The control treatment (F) showed the highest rates of N lixiviation losses, the slow release fertilizer treatment (BF) the lowest. Complex and slow release treatments showed low rates of ammonium lixiviation losses.

Effects of Artificial Light Treatments on Growth, Mineral Composition, Physiology, and Pigment Concentration in Dieffenbachia maculata “Compacta” Plants

“…In our experiment, the N concentration was lower than the references cited, which can be related with the specific characteristics of the variety. Phosphorus concentration was inside the range proposed by Mills and Jones [35] and lower than that of Segura et al [36]. In the case of K concentration, this was inside the ranges proposed by both references.…”

Evaluation of the Leakage Contamination through the Nutrient Parameters Levels of the Substrate Solution inSyngonium podophyllum“Silver” Crop

“…The equilibrium N-P-K of T 1 was established in function of the extractions of other Araceae crops such as Diffenbachia maculata (Segura et al 2005) and Epipremnum pinnatum (Ló pez 2004). The fertigation solution was prepared with the following fertilizers: calcium nitrate [Ca(NO 3 ) 2 ], potassium nitrate (KNO 3 ), and phosphoric acid (H 3 PO 4 ).…”

EFFECT OF GROWING MEDIA AND CHEMICAL FERTILIZATION ON GROWTH AND CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF Dracaena marginata "BICOLOR"

“…Also, NPK fertilization affecting growth of many foliage plants; Poole and Li and Zhang (2002) on Anthurium andraeanum; Wazir et al, (2004)on Schefflera actinophylla; Dorgham (2005) on Dieffenbachia and Philodendron erubescens; Jimenez and Lao (2005) on Dieffenbachia amoena; Segura et al (2005) on Dieffenbachia maculata and Srinivasa (2006) on Anthurium andraeanum.…”

“…on Schefflera actinophylla;Dorgham (2005) on Dieffenbachia plants;Jimenez and Lao (2005) on Dieffenbachia amoena cv. Tropic Snow;Segura et al (2005) on Dieffenbachia maculata cv. Camille.…”