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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Corvallis, Oregon » Horticultural Crops Production and Genetic Improvement Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #395267
Research Project: Water and Nutrient Management for Sustainable Production of Small Fruit and Nursery Crops

Location: Horticultural Crops Production and Genetic Improvement Research Unit

Title: Nitrogen rate, irrigation frequency and volume differentially influence growth, flowering, and nutrient uptake of container-grown rhododendron during the following growing season

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

Submitted to: Horticulturae
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/13/2022
Publication Date: 7/16/2022
Citation: Bi, G., Scagel, C.F., Bryla, D.R. 2022. Nitrogen rate, irrigation frequency and volume differentially influence growth, flowering, and nutrient uptake of container-grown rhododendron during the following growing season. Horticulturae. 8(7). Article 647. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8070647.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8070647

Interpretive Summary: Sustainable nursery crop production requires optimization of two major inputs, fertilizer and water, to achieve growers' economic and environmental goals. Achieving these goals requires information on how plants respond to the combined effects of these inputs. Nursery production strategies that improve plant survival, growth, and productivity after transplanting can substantially improve value of nursery crops. We investigated how fertilizer and irrigation management during container production of rhododendron influenced plant growth, flowering, and nutrient uptake after transplanting into the landscape. Our results indicate that manipulating fertilizer and irrigation frequency and volume can be used to alter nursery stock qualities and improve subsequent performance in the landscape.

Technical Abstract: Sustainable nutrient and water management is critical for optimizing quality and subsequent landscape performance of nursery plants. In this 2-year study, we investigated the influence of different nitrogen (N) rates and irrigation frequencies and volumes on plant growth, flowering, and nutrient uptake of three rhododendron cultivars, including one deciduous and two ever-greens. In each case, the plants were grown in soilless media in year 1 and transplanted to soil in year 2. A higher N rate in year 1 increased plant biomass and N content in both years and improved flowering performance the following year. Furthermore, in year 1, both more frequent irrigation and decreased irrigation volume enhanced uptake of several nutrients in each cultivar and growth of the evergreen cultivars. Plants that were irrigated more frequently during year 1 performed better in the landscape the following year, while decreased irrigation volume only improved landscape performance of the deciduous cultivar. In the evergreen cultivars, irrigation volume altered nursery plant qualities that resulted in a trade-off between flower production and growth in year 2. Our results indicate that manipulating N rates and irrigation frequency and volume can be used to alter nursery stock qualities and improve subsequent performance in the landscape.