Abstract
To assess the effects of a new integrated nutrient management protocol on yield and cut stem quality, root morphology, N accumulation, nitrogen utilization efficiency (NUE), and P content in tissue, a biennial (2011 and 2012) chrysanthemum cut flower cultivation was carried out. In both years, two nutrition management (CNM: conventional NM and INM: integrated NM) treatments and two Dendranthema grandiflorum (Ramat.) Kitamura cultivar (“White CV1” and “Yellow CV2”) treatments were compared. The treatments were arranged in a split-plot design with three replicates. CNM was fertilized using a recommended dose fertilization of mineral NPK; INM treatment was fertilized using a half dose (50%) of CNM plus a combined usage of N organic fertilizer, seaweed extract (Ascophyllum nodosum), and microrganism consortium (Glomus sp. and Bacillus sp.). Yield at harvest (+19%), number of leaves (+33%), leaf area (+46%), number of flower heads (+27%), and total aboveground dry weight (+40%) were significantly increased by the INM application compared to the control. In terms of the root system, the increase was evident in terms of length (+174%), volume (+167%), projected area (+166%), and surface area (+165%), tips (+175%), forks (+285%), and crossings (+464%). The greatest N accumulation, in both years, was registered by INM treatment at harvest: +94% in 2011 and +55% in 2012. Differences in the NM were evident in the NUE, which was highest in CNM (on average 162) compared to INM (on average 142). In both years the P content in above-ground chrysanthemum tissues was in the order of head > leaves > stems, which was maintained in both INM and CNM treatments. A higher yield (138 stems m−2) was obtained in “CV2 Yellow” compared to “CV1 White” (120 stems m−2). Based on our findings, applying INM to chrysanthemum improves yield, cut flower quality, and plant nutrient uptake, in an agro–environmentally sustainable way. A basic economic analysis on fertilizers, cost gross production, and takings difference obtained, was carried out.
Highlights
Fertilization is essential for optimizing crop productivity [1]
The overall aims of this research were to evaluate the effects of an innovative Integrated nutrition management (INM) compared to Conventional NM (CNM), in a biennial chrysanthemum cut flower cultivation, on (i) yield and cut stem quality; (ii) root morphology; and (iii) N accumulation, nitrogen utilization efficiency (NUE), and P content in plant tissue
As determined by the harvestable number of cut stems per plant (Table 3), increased significantly in INM (140 stems m−2, +19%) compared to those under CNM (118 stems m2 )
Summary
Fertilization is essential for optimizing crop productivity [1]. Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), are important for plant nutrition [2,3]. Nutrient overapplication has introduced major challenges in terms of soil infertility [7], N and P runoff [8,9], environmental degradation [10], and climate change [11,12]. Today there is an increasing need for a balanced fertilization strategy, minimizing the use of mineral fertilizers to enhance both crop production and quality and nutrient uptake under low input conditions [13]. Mineral fertilizers can be replaced by organic fertilizers [14], plant biostimulants [15], and beneficial microbial inoculants [16]
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