Nitrogen and phosphorus uptake efficiency and partitioning of container-grown azalea during spring growth

Abstract

The influence of fertilization rate on nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) nutrient partitioning and uptake efficiency of young, container-grown azalea (Rhododendron L. 'Karen') was determined under controlled greenhouse conditions during Spring 2001 and 2002. In 2001, fertilizer treatments included a factorial combination of two N (25 or 250 mg/week) and three P (0, 5, or 25 mg/week) rates; in 2002, an additional N rate (100 mg/week) was included in the experimental design. Five destructive harvests were performed during each study; plant tissues (root, stem, primary and secondary branches and leaves) from each harvest were analyzed to derive total N and P uptake. Leachates from containers were monitored and analyzed weekly to calculate nitrate (NO3-N), ammonium (NH4-N), and orthophosphate (PO4-P) loss. Fertilization rates of 5 mg P per week in 2001 and rates of 100 mg N per week and 5 mg P per week in 2002 maintained optimal growth compared with the highest fertilization rates (250 mg N and 25 mg P per week) in these studies. Increasing N fertilization rate largely promoted shoot growth, whereas decreasing N and P fertilization rates promoted root growth and increased uptake efficiency. In general, increasing N and P fertilization rates increased nutrient N and P leaching from the pine bark substrate. Reducing excess N and P fertilization to match plant growth requirements of young azalea increases nutrient uptake efficiency and reduces nutrient loss to the environment.