|
|
More news |
| Propagation of Pelargonium and the application of nitrogen fertilizer | |
| The production of young plants of Pelargonium × hortorum requires a reliable rooting response of the shoot tip cuttings taken from stock (mother) plants. Reported in the Journal of Horticultural Science & Biotechnology is a study on the application of nitrogen to mother plants to see what effect this could have on the yield, quality and survival of cuttings and their rooting response. The mother plants were grown in the greenhouse in aerated nutrient solution or in a thin layer of peat. Nitrogen was applied to the mother plants either as nitrate or ammonium nitrogen. In the solution-culture made up of both forms of nitrogen (NH4+:NO3) at 7mmol, the ratios 20:80 and 40:60 of these two components gave the best results. The branching of the roots and nitrogen absorption in the mother plants was enhanced, the yield of cuttings improved and their production of adventitious roots was greater. The cultivation of mother plants in peat substrate produced the highest yield of cuttings with the best rooting response was obtained through weekly applications of nitrogen at a rate of 1.5 g/m2. S.Zerche, U.Druege and K.Kadner, Journal of Horticultural Science & Biotechnology Vol 83 No:2 pp:207-217 www.jhortscib.com |
|