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Impact of applied nitrogen concentration on growth of elatior Begonia and new guinea impatiens and susceptibility of Begonia to Botrytis cinerea

Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science, ISSN: 0003-1062, Vol: 132, Issue: 2, Page: 193-201
2007
  • 8
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  • 25
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Metrics Details

  • Citations
    8
    • Citation Indexes
      8
  • Captures
    25

Article Description

Plant performance and appearance in deficient and toxic levels of nutrients are well characterized. However, less is known about the potential subtleties of plant growth, form, development, nutrient uptake, and biotic stress tolerance in the broad tolerable range. Begonia [Beg (Begonia x tuberhybrida Voss)] and new guinea impatiens [NGI (Impatiens hawkeri Bull.)] were grown over a wide range of N (from 1.78 to 57.1 mM NH:NO ratio at a 1:1 ratio supplied as nutrient solution) in a peat:perlite soilless substrate in greenhouse conditions. Plant growth, development, chlorophyll content, leaf angle, nutrient uptake, tissue caloric value, and susceptibility to Botrytis cinerea Pers.:Fr. disease were evaluated in two experiments. Elevated N supply resulted in decreased plant height (16% in Beg and 7% to 16% in NGI), flower count (3% to 48% in Beg and 7% to 49% in NGI), bud numbers (23% to 80% in Beg), canopy area (11% to 33% in NGI), and mass (21% to 33% in Beg and 18% to 58% in NGI). Chlorophyll content saturated at an N supply of 28.6 mM. N uptake efficiency, shoot N use efficiency, and shoot N utilization efficiency decreased with increasing N supply. Elevated levels of N supply from 7.15 to 57.1 mM also increased the susceptibility of Beg to B. cinerea disease by 10% to 80% in stems and 3% to 14% in leaves. The increase in susceptibility also corresponded with increased tissue energy content (kJ·g) and altered leaf orientation. This study indicates many plant changes occur between nutrient extremes that can have a significant impact on growth, development, and the ability to withstand disease.

Bibliographic Details

Dharmalingam S. Pitchay; Jonathan M. Frantz; James C. Locke; Charles R. Krause; George C. J. Fernandez

American Society for Horticultural Science

Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology; Agricultural and Biological Sciences

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