Abstract
The effects of nutrient application based on the nitrogen application standard curve (NASC) developed in the hydroponics system on the cut flower quality and nutrient uptake of spray chrysanthemums in bench culture were investigated. Plants were grown at 0.75, 1.0, 1.25 and 1.5 strengths of NASC, including 356, 474, 593, 711 mg total nitrogen/shoot, respectively.
About 80% of harvested flowers were marketable flowers having the weight of ≧ 40 g when the lower 20 cm leaves were trimmed after cutting on 80 cm shoot (the shipping standard size in Wakayama) in all application levels. Using the 0.75 strength, there was little residual nitrogen in the soil at harvest. However, Using treatments of ≧ 1.0 strength, an accumulation of nitrogen in the soil was detected during the cultivation period. The residual nutrients in the soil increased with increases in the fertilization level.
Consequently, nutrient application based on 0.75 NASC strength can produce high quality cut flowers in bench culture, and is suitable for the environment due to the low levels of nutrients remaining in the soil. Modification of NASC is recommended to improve plant growth in the early stages.
