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Lecture # 8
Interior
Fertilization
Procedures
Nitrogen Can Be A Significant
Limiting Factor In Plant Growth
Nitrogen is absorbed from the soil solution surrounding the
root hairs. As nitrogen is taken up, the solution just outside
the root becomes nitrogen depleted. If there is very little nitrogen
in the surrounding solution, nitrogen starvation, and slow growth
can occur.
Therefore, keeping nitrogen in the soil solution at an adequate
level is essential to plant growth.
Nutrient concentration
in the soil solution
high nutrient level
low nutrient level
Distance from the root surface
Formation of a nutrient depletion
zone in the region of the soil
adjacent to the plant root.
Effect of Fertilizer on Aglaonema
Effect of Fertilizer on Ferns
What Happens to Applied Nitrogen
1
VOLATILITY
15% and 20%
Escapes as gases to
the air
What Happens to Applied Nitrogen
2
LEACHING
Little to a lot.
Most on overirrigated sandy soils.
What Happens to Applied Nitrogen
3
Organic matter
33% to 66%
Tied up both temporary and permanently.
What Happens to Applied Nitrogen
4
15% - 75%
Average 50%
Crops get
what's left.
What Happens to Applied Nitrogen
It will fly away. And...
even when caught as a
fertilizer and put to work...
Wearing any of these names :
NITROGEN GASES ARE:
N2 (molecular nitrogen)
NO (nitric oxide)
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide)
NH4 (ammonia)
N2O (nitrous oxide).
N
It may
still
escape !
Functions of Minerals in Plants
C, H, O - basic elements of all organic molecules.
N, S - protein components.
P - essential element of plant membranes;
involved in energy transduction.
Ca - combines with pectic materials to form the
cell wall and the middle lamella; energy
transduction.
Functions of Minerals in Plants
Mg - cental role in chlorophyll molecule.
B - regulates Ca utilization.
Trace elements - involved in enzyme action
(co-factors).
The Essential Nutrient Elements,
Their Sources and the Relative
Amounts Needed by Plants
NUTRIENT ELEMENTS USED IN
RELATIVELY LARGE AMOUNTS
From Air
and Water
Carbon
Hydrogen
Oxygen
From the
Soil Solution
Nitrogen
Phosphorus
Potassium
Calcium
Magnesium
Sulfur
The Essential Nutrient Elements,
Their Sources and the Relative
Amounts Needed by Plants
NUTRIENT ELEMENTS USED IN
RELATIVELY SMALL AMOUNTS
From the
Soil Solution
Iron
Manganese
Boron
Molybdenum
Copper
Zinc
Chlorine
The Elements of Plant Nutrition
MACRONUTRIENTS
Nitrogen
Phosphorus
Potassium
Calcium
Magnesium
Sulfur
MICRONUTRIENTS
Iron
Copper
Manganese
Zinc
Boron
Chlorine
Molybdenum
Definitions of Various
Types of Fertilizers
FERTILIZER TYPE
Controlled or
slow release
Organic
Liquid
DEFINITION
Required elements become available
over an extended time.
Origin - plant or animal sources.
Required elements from various
sources completely dissolved in
water.
Definitions of Various
Types of Fertilizers
FERTILIZER TYPE
Chelated
Dry
DEFINITION
Required element is held by a
complex molecule that maintains its
availability.
Fertilizers applied without dissolving
in water.
A Summary of Mineral
Elements Required by Plants
Element
Macronutrients
Nitrogen (N)
Potassium (K)
Calcium (Ca)
Phosphorus (P)
Magnesium (Mg)
Sulfur (S)
Forms in
Which
Absorbed
NO3- or NH4K+
Ca2+
H2PO4 or HPO42Mg2+
SO42-
Approximate
Concentration
in Whole Plant
(as % of dry wgt)
1-3%
0.3 - 6 %
0.1 - 3.5 %
0.05 - 1.0 %
0.05 - 0.7 %
0.05 - 1.5 %
A Summary of Mineral
Elements Required by Plants
Element
Micronutrients
Iron (Fe)
Chlorine (Cl)
Copper (Cu)
Manganese (Mn)
Zinc (Zn)
Molybdenum (Mo)
Boron (B)
* Cobalt (Co)
Forms in Which
Absorbed
Approximate
cc in Whole Plant
(as % of dry wgt)
Fe2+ , Fe3+
10 - 1500 ppm
Cl100 - 10,000 ppm
Cu2+
2 - 75 ppm
Mn2+
5 - 1500 ppm
Zn2+
3 - 150 ppm
MoO420.1 - 5.0 ppm
BO3- or B4O722 - 75 ppm
Co3+
Trace
Magnesium Deficiency in Philodendron
Micronutrient Deficiency
Iron Deficiency
Severe Iron
Deficiency
Chemical structure of the chelator
ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)
=
O- - C - CH
2
CH - C - O 2
O
N - CH2- CH - N
2
CH 2- C - O =
=
O- - C - CH2
O
O
=
O
Chemical structure of the chelator
ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)
chelated to an Fe+3 ion
O=
C
O
O-
CH2
=
O
C
Fe
CH2
N
O- C
O
=
=
O
C
O-
N
CH2
CH2
CH2
CH2
The Relation of Fertility Level to Plant
Performance
Growth increase
Optimum
fertility
level
x
Low
Nutrient level
Deficiency
symptoms
Inability to
complete life cycle
Hidden
hunger
Growth stable
or reduction
High
Luxury
consumption
Toxic reaction (possible
failure to complete life
cycle)
Nutrient Toxicities - A Case Of Excess Salts
Acids and bases react to form compounds
termed salts:
NaOH + HCl NaCl + H2O
Where Do Soluble Salts Come From?
Fertilizers, water, growing medium.
Fertilizers provide plants with salts of
essential elements.
How Are Salts Detected?
Electroconductivity of soil extract;
Visible salt deposits.
Fertilizer and Soluble
Salts Problems
 High and low fertilizer, and excess soluble salts all
cause weak or slow plant growth, stunting, burned
leaf tips and margins, and leaf drop.
In addition, low fertilizer and excess soluble salts
cause development of small new leaves, leaf
yellowing.
Fertilizer and Soluble
Salts Problems
 High fertilizer and excess soluble salts cause
wilting and root death.
 High fertilizer alone causes large dark green
leaves, and appearance of algae on the growing
medium.
Effect of
Excess
Fertilizer on
Roots
Fluoride Toxicity
on Dracaena and Cordyline
Fluoride Toxicity and Calcium Interaction
To Control Salinity Problems:
 Avoid excess fertilizers and
poor quality water.
 Flush excess salts with water.
 Consider use of deionized water.
 Do not allow soil to become too dry.
 Flush or leach excess salts:
- apply the normal amt of water 5X;
allow to drain;
- wait 15 - 20 min; repeat above.
Codiaeum variegatum 'Banana'
Plant & root quality vs. soluble salts
(after 2 months in interiors)
plants
grown for
6 months
Soluble
Salts
Plant
Quality
Root Quality
FERTILIZER RATE (g 19-6-12/6"
0
1
2
3
4
5
4.8
9.6
14.4
19.2
24
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
mc/sohmillim
edarG ytilauQ
0
Quality Grade
4.5
4.0
Codiaeum
Nephrolepis
Dracaena fragrans
Spathiphyllum
Aglaonema
Dieffenbachia
Chamaedorea
Philodendron
Aphelandra
5.0
Maximum Plant
Quality Grade
4.8
7.2
9.6
FERTILIZER RATE (g 19-6-12/6" pot/3 mos)
Quality Grade
2.5
1.6
Codiaeum
Chamaedorea
Spathiphyllum
Aglaonema
Dieffenbachia
Philodendron
Nephrolepis
Dracaena
fragrans
Aphelandra
4.0
Minimum Root
Quality Grade
24.0
FERTILIZER RATE (g 19-6-12/6" pot/3 mos)
Forms of Fertilizers Used Indoors
LIQUIDS
POWDERS
TABLETS
SPIKES
GRANULES
Fertilizer Programs for Interior
Landscapes
Application
Method
Element
POSTPLANT
Liquid or
Constant
Foliar
All
Objective
Supply essential nutrients as
needed by plants.
Quick response or when soil
N, Fe, Mn, conditions unfavorable for
Mg, Cu, Zn, absorption.
Mo
Fertilizer Programs for Interior
Landscapes
Application
Method
Element
PREPLANT
Incorporation:
N, P, K
Mg, Ca
Objective
Provide starter amounts
and reserve: use controlled
-release nitrogen source.
Fertilizer Programs for Interior
Landscapes
Application
Method
Element
PREPLANT
Incorporation:
Ca
Objective
Correct low pH: use both
hydrated lime and CaCO3 or
dolomite.
Fe, Mn,
Provide reserve; use chelated
Cu, Zn, B products.
Fertilizer Programs for Interior
Landscapes
Application
Method
Element
Dry
Slurry
All
All
Objective
Apply essential elements
without water.
Speed application of insoluble
materials as organic fertilizers
or dolomitic limestone.
Types of Controlled-Release Fertilizers for
Interior Landscapes
CATEGORY
SPECIFIC
TYPES
Slowly
soluble
MagAmp
Bacterial
decomposition
IBDU
COMMENTS
Contains ammonium
form of N and high
amts of P;
Hydrolysis - 1st step
in release.
Release rate depends
on particle size,
temperature;
(approx. 3 months).
Types of Controlled-release Fertilizers for
Interior Landscapes
CATEGORY
Exchange
resin
Coated
SPECIFIC
TYPES
COMMENTS
Nutrients adhere to
Urearesin and are removed
formaldehyde by the plant.
Coat thickness and
temperature release.
Bacterial decomposition
of coating also regulates
release.
Fertilizing An Indoor Plant:
CONSIDERATIONS:
* Type of plant.
* Volume of soil (pot size).
* Light intensity.
g N per 6-in. Container per Year
Scale A: Dry fertilizer, liquid fertilizer
periodic application
1.0
40
0.8
32
0.6
24
0.4
16
0.2
8
0.0
0
Scale B: ppm N in fertigation
schedule
High Fertilizer
Plants
Which has the steeper gradient?
Low Fertilizer
Plants
0 50 100 150 200 250 300
Low
High
Medium
Light Intensity ( ft-c )
Very
High