Fertilizer Concentration and Moisture Tension Affect Growth and Foliar N, P, and K Contents of Two Woody Ornamentals

Plant growth, water use, photosynthetic performance, and nitrogen (N) uptake of ‘Merritt’s Supreme’ hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) were investigated. Plants were fertilized with one of five N rates (0, 5, 10, 15, or 20 mm from NH4NO3), irrigated once or twice per day with the same total daily amount of water, and grown in either a paper biodegradable container or a traditional plastic container. Greater N rate generally increased plant growth index (PGI) in both plastic and biocontainers. Leaf and total plant dry weight (DW) increased with increasing N rate from 0 to 20 mm and stem and root DW were greatest when fertilized with 15 mm and 20 mm N. Plants fertilized with 20 mm N had the greatest leaf area and chlorophyll content in terms of SPAD reading. Container type had no influence on DW accumulation or leaf area. N concentrations (%) in leaves, roots, and the entire plant increased with increasing N rate. N concentrations in roots and in the entire plant were lower in biocontainers compared with plastic containers. Greater N rate generally increased daily water use (DWU), and biocontainers had greater DWU than plastic containers. The 20 mm N rate resulted in the highest net photosynthetic rate measured on 11 Sept. and 22 Sept. (65 and 76 days after treatment). Net photosynthetic rate (measured on 8 Oct.) and stomatal conductance (gS) (measured on 27 Aug., 22 Sept., and 8 Oct.) were lower in biocontainers compared with plastic containers. Two irrigations per day resulted in higher substrate moisture at 5-cm depth than one irrigation per day, and slightly increased PGI on 19 Aug. However, irrigation frequency did not affect photosynthetic rate, gS, or N uptake of hydrangea plants except in stems. Considering the increased water use of hydrangea plants when grown in the paper biocontainer and lower plant photosynthesis and N uptake, the tested paper biocontainer may not serve as a satisfactory sustainable alternative to traditional plastic containers.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nitrogen Fertilization and Irrigation Frequency Affect Hydrangea Growth and Nutrient Uptake in Two Container Types

Li¹,

Bi²,

Harkess³

et al. 2019

“…The influence of water and N management on uptake of other nutrients during production for many crops has not been evaluated fully. With some woody perennial plants, growth is enhanced more by minimizing water stress than by increasing fertility (Rose et al, 1999;Tan and Hogan, 1997).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Irrigation Frequency Alters Nutrient Uptake in Container-grown Rhododendron Plants Grown with Different Rates of Nitrogen

Bi¹,

Fuchigami²,

Regan³

2012

The influence of irrigation frequency (same amount of water per day given at different times) on nutrient uptake of container-grown evergreen Rhododendron ‘P.J.M. Compact’ (PJM) and ‘English Roseum’ (ER) and deciduous Rhododendron ‘Gibraltar’ (AZ) grown with different rates of nitrogen (N) fertilizer was evaluated. Increased N application rate increased nutrient uptake and plant dry biomass. Irrigation frequency did not significantly influence total plant dry biomass; however, more frequent irrigation decreased net uptake of several nutrients including phosphorus (P), boron (B), and manganese (Mn) uptake in all cultivars; potassium (K), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) uptake in AZ and ER; sulfur (S) uptake in ER and PJM; and iron (Fe) uptake in AZ. Additionally, more frequent irrigation of evergreen cultivars increased calcium (Ca) uptake. Covariate analyses were used to compare nutrient uptake among cultivars and irrigation treatments after accounting for the variability in nutrient uptake attributable to differences in biomass and N uptake. For most nutrients, the influence of irrigation frequency on uptake was partially attributable to differences in biomass and N uptake. After accounting for the variability in nutrient uptake associated with biomass or N uptake, increased irrigation frequency decreased P, S, B, Cu, and Mn uptake only in ER and increased Ca uptake in the two evergreen cultivars. Differences in nutrient uptake among cultivars in response to irrigation treatments were related to water and N availability during production and their combined influence on water stress, nutrient uptake, and biomass partitioning. Estimates of nutrient demand and uptake efficiency using nutrient concentrations and ratios are discussed in relation to nutrient management differences for different cultivars and irrigation treatments.

“…Fertilizer management effects on plant water use and drought stress during production for many crops has not been evaluated fully (Linder et al, 1987;Tan and Hogan, 1997). With some woody perennial plants it is possible that growth can be enhanced more by minimizing water stress than by increasing fertility (Rose et al, 1999).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Irrigation Frequency and Nitrogen Fertilizer Rate on Water Stress, Nitrogen Uptake, and Plant Growth of Container-grown Rhododendron

Bi¹,

Fuchigami²,

Regan³

2011

The influence of irrigation frequency (same amount of water per day given at different times) and nitrogen (N) fertilizer rate on water stress [stomatal conductance (gS)], N uptake, and growth (biomass) of container-grown evergreen Rhododendron ‘P.J.M. Compact’ and ‘English Roseum’ and deciduous Rhododendron ‘Gibraltar’ was evaluated. Both N deficiency and high N rate increased water stress. Water stress was greatest in plants fertilized with the highest N rate and gS of plants grown with the higher N rates changed more in response to water deficits resulting from irrigation treatments and seasonal climatic changes. Watering plants more frequently decreased water stress of plants fertilized with higher N rates and altering irrigation frequency had little impact on alleviating water stress of N-deficient plants. Increasing irrigation frequency decreased N uptake efficiency (N uptake per gram N applied), increased N use efficiency (growth per gram N uptake) and altered biomass allocation with little influence on total plant biomass. Response of biomass allocation to N rates was similar among cultivars and response of biomass allocation to irrigation frequency varied among cultivars. Altering irrigation frequency changed either the availability of N in the growing substrate or the ability of roots to absorb N. Our results indicate that transitory increases in plant water stress can alter N uptake, N use, and plant form without detectable changes in total plant biomass.