The effect of phosphorus nutrition on growth, flowering and leaf nutrient concentrations of Osteospermum.

摘要

The effect of P nutrition on the growth, flowering and leaf nutrient content of Osteospermum cv. Denebola was investigated. Rooted cuttings of Osteospermum were planted on 12 cm-wide pots, using a sphagnum peat-based growing medium amended with P (as triple superphosphate) at 0, 0.24, 0.48, 0.97, 1.61, 2.24 and 3.25 mM concentrations before planting. Data were recorded on different growth parameters (fresh weight, plant height, plant diameter, shoot number, leaf length and leaf width), flowering characteristics (number of days from planting to flowering, number of flower buds, number of flowers and flower diameter) and leaf nutrient (N, P, K, Ca and Mg) contents. P levels ranging from 1.61 to 3.25 mM gave generally high values for all the parameters studied.