Abstract
Background: This study of the large-flowered azalea cv. ‘Anneke’ investigated the impact of two factors, i.e., methods of fertilization and mycorrhization, on the nutritional status of plants during three years of nursery cultivation. Methods: Single mineral fertilizers, a slow-release fertilizer Hortiform pH (SRF), and fertigation in combination with mycorrhization of plants, were applied. Plant roots were inoculated with fungi from the genera Oidiodendron and Hymenoscyphus sp. The nutritional status of the large-flowered azalea in the first three years of cultivation was assessed based on macroelements. Results: The analyses revealed significantly higher content of nitrogen, phosphorus and calcium in the leaves of plants inoculated with fungal mycelium. A beneficial effect of plant mycorrhization on plant nutritional status, i.e., higher levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium, was noted in the second and third years of azalea cultivation. Conclusions: Significant amounts of the nutrients were utilized in the middle of the growing season and almost fully utilized after the season. Hence, the necessity to supplement nutrients in each subsequent year of plant vegetation was postulated. Fertigation was shown to require further improvement of the nutrient solution.
Highlights
Azaleas are permanent elements of gardens and parks
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The assessment of the nutritional status of the large-flowered azalea in the first three years of assessment cultivation of was on thestatus content of total nitrogen, phosphorus, The thebased nutritional of the large-flowered azalea in the potassium, first three magnesium and calcium in plant years of cultivation was based on leaves
Summary
Azaleas are permanent elements of gardens and parks. Their flowers provide a wonderful color palette in late May and early June. Plants from the family Ericaceae: Rhododendron, Andromeda, Calluna, Erica, Kalmia, and Pieris have low nutritional requirements [1,2,3], as nutrient-poor soils are their natural habitat. In recent years there has been dynamic growth in the cultivation of Ericaceae plants, including the large-flowered azalea [6]. ‘Anneke’ investigated the impact of two factors, i.e., methods of fertilization and mycorrhization, on the nutritional status of plants during three years of nursery cultivation. Methods: Single mineral fertilizers, a slow-release fertilizer. The nutritional status of the large-flowered azalea in the first three years of cultivation was assessed based on macroelements. A beneficial effect of plant mycorrhization on plant nutritional status, i.e., higher levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium, was noted in the second and third years of azalea cultivation
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