Abstract
Mineral nutrient uptake of Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Merritt’s Supreme’ affected by nitrogen (N) fertilization rate, container type, and irrigation frequency was investigated. Rooted liners of hydrangea plants were fertilized twice weekly with a N-free fertilizer plus five N rates including 0, 5, 10, 15, or 20 mM N from ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3), irrigated once or twice daily with the same total irrigation volume, and grown in two types of one-gallon containers: a black plastic container and a biodegradable container (biocontainer), made from recycled paper. Concentrations of calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) averaged in the entire plant, and iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) in roots had increasing trends with increasing N rate. By comparison, increasing N rate had a dilution effect on root phosphorus (P), stem and root potassium (K), stem Ca and Mg, and leaf boron (B) concentrations. In general, nutrient content of each tested element increased with increasing N rate in each structure, or total in the plant. When there was a significant container type effect, plastic containers consistently had increased nutrient concentrations and content compared to biocontainers. One irrigation per day was beneficial in increasing nutrient concentrations of P, Ca, and zinc (Zn) in different plant structures.
Highlights
Hydrangea is one of the most popular ornamental crops, used as potted plants or in landscapes [1]Hydrangea macrophylla, commonly known as bigleaf or French hydrangea, is one of the most widely cultivated of over 80 species in the genus Hydrangea [2,3]
Concentrations and contents of P in leaves, stems, roots, or the entire plant was affected by the main effect of N rate, container type, or irrigation frequency without interactions
Increasing N rate resulted in a dilution effect on macronutrient concentrations in certain structures of hydrangea plants, but did not result in a deficient level or limit plant growth
Summary
Hydrangea is one of the most popular ornamental crops, used as potted plants or in landscapes [1]Hydrangea macrophylla, commonly known as bigleaf or French hydrangea, is one of the most widely cultivated of over 80 species in the genus Hydrangea [2,3]. Hydrangea is one of the most popular ornamental crops, used as potted plants or in landscapes [1]. In 2012, the sale value of hydrangeas as nursery stock was $91 million in the United States, with another. $30 million sold as potted plants [5]. Hydrangeas are known to have high nutrient requirements [6,7]. Fertilization management in nursery production is largely through manipulating N rate because it is often considered the limiting factor. Increasing N rate increased plant growth index, leaf area, and plant dry weight of H. macrophylla ‘Merritt’s Supreme’ [8]. High N fertigation rates of 210 and 280 mg·L−1 were found to increase the number of flowers and flower size in H. macrophylla ‘Merritt’s Supreme’ [7].
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