Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #224014
Title: Leachate Micronutrient Concentrations From Greenhouse-Grown 'Phoenicia' Azaleas When Using Four Different Types of Controlled-Release Fertilizers

Author
item BLYTHE, EUGENE - MS STATE U,POPLARVILLE,MS
item Albano, Joseph
item MERHAUT, DON - UNIV. OF CA,RIVERSIDE,CA
item NEWMAN, JULIE - UNIV. OF CA, VENTURA,CA

Submitted to: HortScience
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/28/2008
Publication Date: 7/1/2008
Citation: Blythe, E., Albano, J.P., Merhaut, D., Newman, J. 2008. Leachate Micronutrient Concentrations From Greenhouse-Grown 'Phoenicia' Azaleas When Using Four Different Types of Controlled-Release Fertilizers. HortScience. 43(4):1265.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Concentrations of iron, manganese, copper, zinc and molybdenum were measured for leachate collected from container substrate containing one of four types of controlled-release fertilizers (Osmocote plus Micromax, Nutricote, Polyon, and Multicote) during a 47-week plant production cycle. The 2.4 L containers, containing a low-fertility, acid-based substrate with incorporated fertilizer, were planted with liners of Phoenicia azalea and placed in an unheated greenhouse. Leachate from containers was collected weekly and monitored for pH, electrical conductivity, and nutrient concentrations. Depending on the micronutrient, concentrations in leachate were relatively high during the first 8 to 14 weeks of the study, and then rapidly decreased during the remaining portion of the study, regardless of fertilizer type. Concentrations of copper fluctuated throughout the study. Some differences were observed among fertilizer types, with Nutricote exhibiting higher concentrations of iron and zinc in leachates compared to leachates from the other types of fertilizer during the first half of the study.