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Seedling geranium response to nitrogen deprivation and subsequent recovery in hydroponic culture
- Abstract::
- Nitrogen (N) fertilization recommendations to achieve optimum growth are well established for many floriculture crops. Although it has been shown that plant functions can recover from N deficiency in other crops, little research has investigated the threshold beyond which a bedding plant crop is recoverable. The objective of this research was to determine the effect of N deficiency on geranium chlorophyll content and growth and then to document the degree of recovery and recovery time from N deprivation. This was determined in two experiments by monitoring chlorophyll content and growth of seedlings grown in hydroponic culture in which the N source was removed and then restored after differing lengths of time. Summarizing across both experiments, chlorophyll and foliar N levels were shown to rebound quickly after N deprivation; however, growth was reduced after just 4 days compared with plants fed constantly. Geraniums grown without N for 4 to 12 days resulted in smaller, more compact plants with lower shoot–to-root ratios. Although foliar chlorophyll and N concentration recovered from longer periods in N growth solution, geranium growth was reduced and failed to completely recover for any plant receiving more than 2 days of N-free solution.
- Author(s):
-
Locke, James C. , Altland, James E. , Bobak, Deanna M.
- Subject(s):
-
Pelargonium hortorum , bedding plants , chlorophyll , floriculture crops , hydroponics , nitrogen , nitrogen content , nutrient deficiencies , plant response , seedling growth , seedlings , soil nutrients , soil-plant interactions
- Description:
- Includes references
- Source:
- Hortscience 2011 Dec., v. 46, no. 12
- Language:
- English
- Year:
- 2011
- Collection:
-
Journal Articles, USDA Authors, Peer-Reviewed
- File:
-
Download [PDF]
- Rights:
- Works produced by employees of the U.S. Government as part of their official duties are not copyrighted within the U.S. The content of this document is not copyrighted.
