Abstract
Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd. Ex. Klotzsch `Gutbier V-14 Glory' plants were grown with N at 220 mg·L-1 (20N-4.4P-16.6K) using hand (HD), microtube (MT), ebb-and-flow (EF), and capillary mat (CM) irrigation systems and were irrigated either daily (daily = D) or as needed (intermittent = I). For all irrigation systems, daily irrigation produced plants with the greatest total dry mass and reduced the amount of nutrients lost as runoff, but plant quality was reduced in one of two years due to excessive, weak growth. Plants irrigated by MT-D and EF-D had the greatest total dry masses. HD produced lower total plant dry mass than all other irrigation systems and frequencies. Runoff from MT-D and EF-D treatments had the lowest concentration of NO3-N, NH4-N, and PO4-P. The MT-D, EF-D, and EF-I treatments were the most water-efficient, whereas the CM system had the lowest water efficiency and used the greatest amount of water. Daily irrigation with the MT or EF systems produced optimum plant growth, but intermittent MT irrigation was more water-efficient. Daily irrigation is a viable production system, but only where water conservation is not a concern.
Published Version
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