Effects of Phosphorus Source, Phosphorus Rate, and Liming Rate on Growth and Quality of Verbena canadensis Britton ‘Homestead Purple’ and Lantana camara L. ‘New Gold’
Year: 2013
Type: article
Abstract: Phosphate rock ores, rich in phosphorus (P), are mined in great quantities around the world for the production of P fertilizers. However, availability of phosphate reserves is in question due to decreasing global supplies. Therefore, application of alternative, renewable P sources is of interest. Poultry litter ash (PLA), a byproduct of bioenergy production, contains P concentrations comparable to conventional fertilizers. In this experiment, two P sources, PLA and superphosphate (SP), were compared at two P application rates and two liming rates as fertilizer sources for the production of two commonly-grown greenhouse crops (Verbena canadensis Britton ‘Homestead Purple’ and Lantana camara L.‘New Gold’). Application of PLA produced plants of comparable biomass and quality to those fertilized with SP. Increasing P application rate, across both P sources, increased total flower numbers 42 and 26% for verbena and lantana, respectively. Foliar P concentrations of verbena and lantana increased 27 and 62% for PLA-fertilized plants compared to SP. In addition, substrate pH increased 25% using PLA versus SP. Overall, PLA supplies adequate P fertility and does not reduce pH compared to the more water-soluble, rock phosphate based SP fertilizer.
Authors: Daniel E. Wells, Edward W. Bush, Jeffrey S. Beasley, Charles E. Johnson
Language: English
Subfield: Soil Science
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W2807143749