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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Corvallis, Oregon » Horticultural Crops Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #351834
Title: Effect of nitrogen fertilization and irrigation frequency on plant growth and nutrient uptake of hydrangea using traditional and sustainable alternative containers

Author
item LI, TONGYIN - Mississippi State University
item BI, GUIHONG - Mississippi State University
item HARKESS, RICHARD - Mississippi State University
item DENNY, GEOFFREY - Mississippi State University
item Scagel, Carolyn

Submitted to: HortScience
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/26/2018
Publication Date: 1/1/2019
Citation: Li, T., Bi, G., Harkess, R., Denny, G., Scagel, C.F. 2019. Effect of nitrogen fertilization and irrigation frequency on plant growth and nutrient uptake of hydrangea using traditional and sustainable alternative containers. HortScience. 54(1):167–174. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI13513-18.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI13513-18

Interpretive Summary: Plant growth, water use, photosynthetic performance, and nitrogen (N) uptake of ‘Merritt’s Supreme’ hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) were investigated. Plants were fertilized with N rates of 0, 5, 10, 15, or 20 mM from NH4NO3, irrigated once or twice per day with the same total amount of water, and grown in a paper biodegradable container versus a traditional plastic container. Plant growth index (PGI), dry weight, leaf area, N uptake, net photosynthesis, and leaf greenness generally increased with increasing N rate in plastic- or bio-containers. Daily water use (DWU) increased with increasing N rate and was associated with increased PGI and plant dw. Compared to plastic containers, paper biocontainers increased DWU and decreased leaf greenness, net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance , and N uptake. Two irrigations per day resulted in higher substrate moisture at 5-cm depth than one irrigation per day but irrigation frequency did not affect net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance or N uptake of hydrangea plants. 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 serves as a satisfactory sustainable alternative to traditional plastic containers.

Technical Abstract: Plant growth, water use, photosynthetic performance, and nitrogen (N) uptake of ‘Merritt’s Supreme’ hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) were investigated. Plants were fertilized with N rates of 0, 5, 10, 15, or 20 mM from NH4NO3, irrigated once or twice per day with the same total amount of water, and grown in a paper biodegradable container versus a traditional plastic container. Plant growth index (PGI) was affected by the interaction of N rate and container type, which generally increased with increasing N rate in plastic- or bio-containers. Leaf and total plant dry weight(dw) increased with increasing N rate from 0 to 20 mM and stem and root dw was greatest when fertilized with 15 mM and 20 mM N. Plants fertilized with 20 Mm N had the greatest leaf area and greenest leaves. N concentration in leaves, roots, and the entire plant as well as N content in leaves, stems, roots, and total plant increased with increasing N rate. Daily water use (DWU) increased with increasing N rate and was associated with increased PGI and plant dw. The 20 mM N rate resulted in the highest net photosynthetic rate measured on Sep.11 and Sep.22. Paper biocontainers increased DWU compared to plastic containers. Leaf greenness, net photosynthetic rate (measured on Oct.8), stomatal conductance (measured on Aug.27, Sep.22, and Oct.8), N concentration in root and in the entire plant, and N content in leaves and the entire plant were lower in biocontainers compared to plastic containers. Two irrigations per day resulted in higher substrate moisture at 5-cm depth than one irrigation per day. Irrigation frequency did not affect photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance or N uptake of hydrangea plants. 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 serves as a satisfactory sustainable alternative to traditional plastic containers.