Some aspects of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium nutrition of three colonizing beach species

Abstract

The culture of three colonizing dune species in hydroponics indicated that nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) were essential for high plant productivity. The K requirement of Oenothera biennis was lower than that of Cakile edentula or Corispermum hyssopifolium. The dry weight per plant of O. biennis was greater at higher concentrations of N, P, or K; however, the dry weight per plant of Cor. hyssopifolium was similar at all concentrations except in the complete absence of N, P, or K. Cakile edentula did not grow well under any of the nutrient concentrations, probably because of a poor response to hydroponic solutions. The number of live leaves and leaf area of O. biennis and Cor. hyssopifolium were affected more by a lack of N and P than K. The nutrient requirements of Cakile edentula were substantially higher than those of either O. biennis or Cor. hyssopifolium. It is suggested that the hierarchy in plant size and seed production in field populations may result from variability of available nutrients. Oenothera biennis, a generalist weedy species of farmland, old fields, waste places, and sandy beaches, was less exacting in its requirements of N, P, and K than the two beach specialists, Cakile edentula and Cor. hyssopifolium.