Abstract
Leatherleaf fern (Rumohra adiantiformis) was grown in 36 in-ground 1.2 m × 0.6 m × 0.9 m lysimeters located in a shadehouse fernery to determine the effects of nitrogen application rate (392, 532, 672 or 812 kg N·ha-1·yr-1) and irrigation setpoint (-8, -12 or -16 kPa soil moisture tension) on nitrogen leaching and fern frond yield (number and weight) and quality (color and vase life). Liquid fertilizer was applied more or less weekly as is done commercially. Average NO3-N concentrations in leachate from the lysimeters were below the 10 mg NO3-N/l maximum contamination level only for the 392 kg N·ha-1·yr-1 treatment; however, maximum leachate NO3-N concentrations ranged from 29 at the lowest N rate to 65 mg/l at the highest rate. Irrigation setpoint did not affect leachate NO3-N concentrations. Treatments had no effect on number of fronds produced or frond average weight, color or vase life. These results suggest that reduced N fertilization rates (approximately ½ the current commercial rate) could be used successfully to produce leatherleaf fern if similar fertilization and water management practices were employed.
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