Effects of Phosphorus on Morphology and Foliar Nutrient Concentrations of Hydroponically Grown Scaevola aemula R. Br. ‘Whirlwind Blue’

Abstract

In commercial greenhouses, fan flower ‘Whirlwind Blue’ (Scaevola aemula R. Br.) plants are sensitive to phosphorus applications in the range typically applied to other floricultural crops. To quantify this response, fan flower plants were grown in Hoagland solutions containing 0, 20, 40, 60, or 80 mg·L−1 P. Plants fertilized with either the highest (80 mg·L−1) or lowest (0 mg·L−1) P concentrations had significantly shorter stems and smaller shoot dry weights and leaf areas than plants fertilized with 20 to 60 mg·L−1 P. Low or high P concentrations negatively impacted flower number; fan flower fertilized with 0, 60, or 80 mg·L−1 P had fewer flowering branches and flowers compared with plants fertilized with 20 to 40 mg·L−1 P. Plants receiving no P had longer roots than those receiving any P and had greater root dry weights than plants receiving all other P concentrations except 20 mg·L−1. Foliar nutrient analysis indicated that although P treatments significantly impacted foliar concentrations of at least some essential macro- and micronutrients, all essential elements were within or near recommended ranges except P. Foliar P concentrations exceeded 1 mg·g−1 in fan flower that received even the lowest concentration of supplemental P, but leaf chlorosis was only observed in plants grown in 60 to 80 mg·L−1 P. As a result of rapid accumulation of P in fan flower foliage and subsequent reductions in flower number and shoot elongation, fan flower should be fertilized with no more than 20 mg·L−1 P.