Nutrient requirement characteristics of four cut-chrysanthemum cultivars

ObjectivesThis study compared the characteristics of NPK nutrition uptake, accumulation and distribution of four cultivars of cut-chrysanthemum under regularly fertilizing during different growth stages in field experiment to provide scientific theory of nutrition uptake and practical instruction of fertilization.

MethodsFour cut-chrysanthemum cultivars of Monalisa white, Pingpang white, Roma red and Dante purple were chosen as the experimental materials, a field experiment was conducted in greenhouse located in Fumin County, Kunming. The dry weight, the contents of N, P and K in different organs were analyzed after the seedlings were transplanted 15 d (root growth stage), 30 d (stem growth stage), 45 d (flower bud differentiation stage), 60 d (squaring stage), and 80 d (harvest stage), and the ornamental traits in the harvest period were measured.

ResultsThe accumulation and distribution of dry matter and nutrients varied significantly among the cultivars. The shoot dry matter accumulation in Dante purple and Roma red was averaged 634.63 g/m², which was significantly higher than those in the other two varieties. The root dry matter accumulation and fresh weight of Dante purple were 50.5 g/m² and 67.10 g/plant, which were significantly higher than those in the other cultivars. The root dry matter in Pingpang white was only 61.9% of that in Dante purple, the fresh weight of Monalisa white was 47.32 g/plant, significantly lower than the other varieties. The N and K accumulation in Monalisa white and Roma red were significantly higher than in Pingpang white and Dante purple. The P accumulation in Roma red was significantly higher than those in Monalisa white and Dante purple, while the P accumulation of Pingpang white was similar to Roma red. The rapidest N, Pand K absorption and accumulation appeared in the 30–45 days and 45–60 days after transplanting, the demand for N, P and K were 4.40, 2.08 and 7.35 g/m² during the 30–45 days and 4.53, 1.35 and 3.62 g/m² during the 45–60 days, and 2.84, 0.69 and 1.31 g/m² after 80 days (harvest stage).

ConclusionsDifferent cultivars of chrysanthemum are significantly different in NPK absorption, accumulation and distribution, and the highest nutrient requirement is in cultivar Rome red and the least in Pingpang white. The cultivars of Monalisa white and Roma red require significantly higher N and K accumulation than the Pingpang white and Dante purple. P accumulation of Rome red is significantly higher than Monalisa white and Dante purple, while that of Pingpang white is slightly lower than Rome red. For Roma red, special attention should be paid to the nutrient supply during flower bud differentiation stage.