Abstract
In separate experiments 'First Lady' marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) and 'Selenia' New Guinea impatiens (Impatiens sp. hybrids) (NGI) plants in 0.5-liter pots of soilless mix were fertilized with water-soluble 20N-4.3P-16.6K (WS), controlled-release 14N-6.2P-11.6K (CR), or two types of heat-dried sewage sludge pellets (3N-1P-0.1K or 5N-1.3P-0.1K, ≈ 3mm dia.) (SP). All fertilizer treatments were calculated to supply the same amount of N in each experiment. The same volume of irrigation water was applied to all plants during each experiment. Leachate was analyzed for NH4-N and NO3-N at regular intervals and growth was measured at the end of each experiment. SP alone reduced N leaching an average of 54% compared to WS or CR alone, but did not provide adequate nutrition for marigold; symptoms of N deficiency and reduced dry weight were the result. However, SP alone caused no such effects on NGI. Marigold growth was increased and N deficiency symptoms were prevented by partially substituting SP with WS at 25% of total N supplied. The same treatment had no effects on NGI. Combining SP and WS in this manner resulted in little or no increase in N leaching over SP alone.
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