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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Corvallis, Oregon » Horticultural Crops Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #252159
Title: Effect of Nitrogen Availability on Mineral Nutrient Uptake and Plant Growth of Container-Grown Hydrangeas

Author
item BI, GUIHONG - Mississippi State University
item Scagel, Carolyn

Submitted to: HortScience
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/1/2010
Publication Date: 8/10/2010
Citation: Bi, G., Scagel, C.F. 2010. Effect of nitrogen availability on mineral nutrient uptake and plant growth of container-grown hydrangeas. HortScience. 45:(8):S288.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Rooted liners of Hydrangea macrophylla 'Red Star' were fertigated with one of three nitrogen (N) concentrations (0, 140, or 280 ppm) in a modified Hoagland’s solution from June to November. Every 3 weeks starting in June, plants in each N treatment (0N, 140N, 280N) were destructively harvested to determine plant growth and mineral nutrient concentration. The 0N plants did not accumulate any significant biomass during the experiment. Biomass accumulation was similar between 140N and 280N plants. Total plant dry weight of 140N and 280N plants increased slowly during the first six to nine weeks after planting, increased rapidly between 9 and 21 weeks, and was relatively stable after 21 weeks. By the end of the experiment the 280N plants accumulated 92% more biomass than 140N plants. There was very limited uptake of all mineral nutrients by plants in all N treatments during the first six to nine weeks after planting. When plants did not receive any N, there was no significant uptake of any mineral nutrients. Plant nutrient (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, and B) accumulation followed a similar pattern as the total plant biomass accumulation for 140N and 280N plants. Uptake of all nutrients increased rapidly from 9 to 18 weeks for 140N plants, and 9 to 21 for 280N plants, coinciding with the period of rapid plant growth. Increasing N-availability increased the uptake of all nutrients. Results are discussed in terms of optimizing fertilizer use by modifying timing of fertilizer application during production of Hydrangea macrophylla liners.