Effect of Nine Controlled-release Fertilizers on Chrysanthemum Growth and Foliar Analysis1

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Abstract
Single application of 9 controlled-release fertilizers applied prior to planting and liquid fertilization applied at each watering were evaluated on pot chrysanthemum, Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat cv. Sunny Mandalay. Three rates (20, 40 and 60 g N/35 liter of mix) were applied of the following controlled-release fertilizers (N−P−K): Sulfur-coated urea (36−0−0 as SCU-A and SCU-B), Osmocote (14−6.1 − 11.6) and 18−2.6−9.8) Mag AmP (7−17.5−5.0 as fine and coarse), Precise (8−4.8−4.1 and 12−2.6−5.0) and Agriform (14−1.7−5.0). Liquid fertilization applied 200 ppm N, P2O5 and K2O with each watering. Generally 60 g N/35 liter resulted in higher quality plants than did the lower rates, effect of Osmocote (14−6.1−11.6) on plant dry weight, visual rating and plant spread was not significantly different from liquid fertilizer. Precise (8−4.8−4.1), Osmocote (18− 2.6−9.8) and coarse MagAmP produced marketable plants of slightly lower quality than those obtained with liquid feed. Problems observed were primarily those of nutrient balance: very low P (SCU) and high P content (MagAmP); P-induced Mn deficiency (MagAmP); some lower leaf burn with initial high N release (Precise) and injury probably caused by ammonium and high rates of urea formaldehyde-based fertilizer (Agriform). The low initial release of N to support vegetative growth was also an important limitation with Agriform and other fertilizers.

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