EFFECT OF PETUNIA STOCK PLANT NUTRITIONAL STATUS ON FERTILIZER RESPONSE DURING PROPAGATION |
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| Authors: | Kathryn M Santos Paul R Fisher Thomas H Yeager Eric H Simonne Hannah S Carter William R Argo |
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| Institution: | 1. Environmental Horticulture Department , University of Florida , Gainesville, Florida, USA;2. Department of Horticulture Science , University of Florida , Gainesville, Florida, USA;3. Department of Agricultural Education and Communication , University of Florida , Gainesville, Florida, USA;4. Blackmore Co. , Belleville, Michigan, USA |
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| Abstract: | Fertilization strategies during stock plant and cutting production are linked in terms of cutting nutrient levels and quality. Objectives were to evaluate (1) the effect of stock plant nutrition on tissue nutrient concentration and growth during vegetative propagation and (2) response to fertilizer during propagation for cuttings with 4 different initial tissue nutrient concentrations. ‘Supertunia Royal Velvet’ petunia stock plants were grown under constant fertigation of 0, 50, 100 or 200 mg nitrogen (N).L?1 for 21 days. The 200 mg N.L?1 solution contained 150 nitrate (NO3-N), 50 ammonium (NH4-N), 24 phosphorus (P), 166 potassium (K), 40 calcium (Ca), 20 magnesium (Mg), 0.7 sulfur (S), 1.0 iron (Fe), 0.5 manganese (Mn), 0.5 zinc (Zn), 0.24 copper (Cu), 0.24 boron (B), and 0.1 molybdenum (Mo). Providing a complete fertilizer during propagation of petunia, beginning immediately after sticking of cuttings, reduces the risk of nutrient deficiency. Particularly in situations where fertilizer is not applied early during propagation, stock plants should be managed to ensure unrooted cuttings have adequate nutrient reserves. |
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| Keywords: | adventitious root development nitrogen phosphorus potassium cutting fertigation mist rooting |
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