Effect of different growing media and chemical fertilization on growth and chemical composition of ponytail palm (Beaucarnea recurvata) plant

Youssef, A.S.M.

Abstract

A pot experimental trial was carried out to study the effect of 15 treatments which was represented by the combination between five different growing media, i.e. clay + sand, clay + sand + composted leaves, clay + sand + peat moss, clay + sand + vermiculite and composted leaves + peat moss + vermiculite (1:1:1 by volume) and three chemical fertilization rates (a kristalon fertilizer at 0.0, 3 and 6g/pot) on the growth and chemical composition of Beaucarnea recurvata plants. Results showed that growing Beaucarnea recurvata plants in a mixture medium containing clay + sand + composted leaves (1:1:1 by volume) and supplemented with kristalon fertilizer at 6g/pot produced the tallest plant, the highest leaf P, auxin and gibberellins contents. Besides, the highest values of the number, fresh and dry weights of leaves/plant as well as the highest leaf K content were recorded by Beaucarnea plants grown in a mixture medium involving clay + sand + peat moss and supplied with kristalon fertilizer at 6g/pot in both seasons. In addition, the highest caudex length was registered by using a mixture medium containing clay + sand + vermiculite which received kristalon fertilizer at 6g/pot. Moreover, plants grown in composted leaves+ peat moss+ vermiculite mixture and received kristalon fertilizer at 6 g /pot induced the highest values of caudex diameter, plant width, show value, leaf N, total carbohydrates and cytokinins contents as well as the lowest leaf abscisic content. Conclusively, growing Beaucarnea recurvata plants in a medium containing composted leaves + peat moss + vermiculite or a medium composed of clay + sand + peat moss (1:1:1 by volume) and supplemented with kristalon fertilizer at 6g/pot produced the best growth and quality of this plant.

Key words

Beaucarnea recurvata, growing media, chemical fertilization, growth and chemical constituents.