Class
Article
College
College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences
Department
Plants, Soils, and Climate Department
Faculty Mentor
Shital Poudyal
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Abstract
Growing nursery plants in containers requires a timely supply of mineral nutrients for optimum growth. There is a misconception among growers that the application of higher doses of fertilizers hastens plant growth; instead, it can lead to runoff and leaching loss of nutrients. Reducing fertilizer application while sustaining healthy plants could not only negate environmental consequences but also save fertilizer costs. In this study, we wanted to determine the minimal level of phosphorus (P) application in nursery containers without significantly affecting the growth in a fast-growing ground cover i.e., Lysimachia numularia (Creeping jenny) and slow-growing ground cover i.e., Vinca minor (Periwinkle). The plants were grown in the greenhouse for two months by applying three single doses (1, 3, and 6 mg/L) of Phosphorus and two double doses (3 and 6 mg/L) of Phosphorus as treatments, while the control received 6 mg/L P on each irrigation event. Reduction of P to a single dose of 6 mg/L showed similar fresh weight compared to double dose and control. There was a significant decrease (P< 0.05) in fresh weight and leaf area while reducing P to a single dose of 1 mg/L and 3 mg/L in both groundcovers without any effect on the dry weight of the Creeping Jenny but a significant decrease (P<0.05) on dry weight below a single dose of 6 mg/L P in Periwinkle. The reduction of P to 1 mg/L did not negatively affect the growth of both ground covers. The plant tissue analysis showed a low amount of P in leaves in a single dose application of P in both groundcovers while the control had optimum P in their leaves. The plant physiology parameters such as water content and leaf greenness were not affected while decreasing P application to a single dose of 1mg/L P. The study outlines the possibility of reducing P fertilizer application while growing these groundcovers nurseries for a short duration.
Location
Logan, UT
Start Date
4-12-2023 12:30 PM
End Date
4-12-2023 1:30 PM
Included in
Effect of Different Rates of Phosphorus Application in Creeping Jenny and Periwinkle
Logan, UT
Growing nursery plants in containers requires a timely supply of mineral nutrients for optimum growth. There is a misconception among growers that the application of higher doses of fertilizers hastens plant growth; instead, it can lead to runoff and leaching loss of nutrients. Reducing fertilizer application while sustaining healthy plants could not only negate environmental consequences but also save fertilizer costs. In this study, we wanted to determine the minimal level of phosphorus (P) application in nursery containers without significantly affecting the growth in a fast-growing ground cover i.e., Lysimachia numularia (Creeping jenny) and slow-growing ground cover i.e., Vinca minor (Periwinkle). The plants were grown in the greenhouse for two months by applying three single doses (1, 3, and 6 mg/L) of Phosphorus and two double doses (3 and 6 mg/L) of Phosphorus as treatments, while the control received 6 mg/L P on each irrigation event. Reduction of P to a single dose of 6 mg/L showed similar fresh weight compared to double dose and control. There was a significant decrease (P< 0.05) in fresh weight and leaf area while reducing P to a single dose of 1 mg/L and 3 mg/L in both groundcovers without any effect on the dry weight of the Creeping Jenny but a significant decrease (P<0.05) on dry weight below a single dose of 6 mg/L P in Periwinkle. The reduction of P to 1 mg/L did not negatively affect the growth of both ground covers. The plant tissue analysis showed a low amount of P in leaves in a single dose application of P in both groundcovers while the control had optimum P in their leaves. The plant physiology parameters such as water content and leaf greenness were not affected while decreasing P application to a single dose of 1mg/L P. The study outlines the possibility of reducing P fertilizer application while growing these groundcovers nurseries for a short duration.