Vol. 73 No: 1

Title:
Resin-Coated, Controlled-Release Fertilizer as a Pre-Plant Alternative to Nitrogen Enrichment of Stem Core in Soilless Media Containing Ground Stem Core of Kenaf (Hibiscus Cannabinus L.)

Authors:
W.G. PILL and D.J. BISCHOFF

pp: 73-80

Abstract:
Ground stem xylem "core" of kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) has served successfully as a component of soilless growth media, but to avoid the growth suppression probably associated with microbial immobilization of nitrogen (N) within the kenaf, media containing kenaf require N enrichment. The present study was undertaken to determine tomato plant growth in response to preplant N enrichment of peat-based kenaf media either by soaking the kenaf in N solutions (up to 15,000 mg N l^-1) or by incorporation of resin-coated, controlled release fertilizer (Osmocote 14N-6P-11.6K at 3.5, 7.0 or 10.5 kg m^-3) in media containing 35% to 80% volume of kenaf. All media received weekly post-transplanting solution fertilization with 0 or 300 mg N l^-1 from 21N-2.2P-16.6K. Pre-plant incorporation of Osmocote at 3.5 kg m^-3 in media containing 35% to 80% kenaf in peat that received solution fertilization resulted in similar shoot dry weights of ‘Toy Boy’ tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) at 35 d after transplanting as those achieved in commercial peat-lite (Pro-Mix BX) given the same or higher pre-plant Osmocote rates. This combination of pre-plant Osmocote incorporation and weekly solution fertilization resulted in greater growth in media containing 65% or 80% kenaf than pre-plant soaking of the kenaf in solutions of 7,500 or 15,000 mg N l^-1 irrespective of solution fertilization. Incorporation of commercial resin-coated, controlled release fertilizer is a more convenient method of "overcoming" the high C:N of kenaf than soaking the kenaf in N solutions.

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