Irrigation of Prunus laurocerasus plants grown in pots in the nursery

摘要

Plants of Prunus laurocerasus were grown in 3.3 litre plastic pots on compost-peat mixture. Plant were irrigated according to 40, 60 and 80% of pot available water (PAW). At end of the growing season the size and the dry mass of plants irrigated at60 and 80% were larger than those of plants at 40% of PAW. Partitioning of dry mass among leaf, shoot and root and the content of macro- and micronutrient of the leaves were not influenced by the water availability. Irrigation at 60 and 80% of PAW stimulated plant growth and enhanced plant appearance, resulting with increased marketable value of the production. Considering the effects of these two treatments it was evident that the best economic results may be obtained with a pot water regime of 60% ofPAW.