The Effects of Nitrogen Fertilizer Sources on Yield and some Quality Attributes of <i>Chrysanthemum morifolium</i> L.

Abstract

Nitrogen is a crucial nutrient affecting plant growth and development and its addition to the soil (as chemical or organic form) influences plant growth characteristics. One experiment was conducted as a factorial based on RCBD with two <em>Chrysanthemum</em> cultivars (‘Fred' and ‘Angel'( and two N-fertilizer sources [Urea (750 and 1500 g/ha and Nitroxin 7.5 and 15 L/ha] used as fertigation method beside control treatment with three replications. The results revealed that the greatest petals carotenoids content was belonged to 15 liter/ha Nitroxin and the least data for total phenolics was recorded in the control treatment with ‘Angel'. Urea at 1500 g/ ha increased the total phenolics content. The high chlorophyll a content was obtained with Nitroxin (15 L/ ha) with ‘Fred' and Urea (1500 g /ha) with ‘Angel'. The least chlorophyll b content was recorded with 1500 g / ha Urea at ‘Angel'. Roots dry weight (15 L/ha Nitroxn), stem dry weight (15 L Nitroxin and 1500 g /ha Urea) were positively affected in ‘Fred'. Fertilizers application positively affected root fresh weight in both cultivars. The highest content of anthocyanin (19.3 µmol g^-1FWt) was recorded in ‘Angel' cultivar. Anthocyanin content was also influenced by 1500 g / ha Urea (19.2 µmol g^-1 FWt) and 15 L/ha Nitroxin (18.4 µmol g^-1 FWt). The highest amount of shoot number (12.6) was recorded in ‘Fred' cultivar. With any increase in the fertilizer levels, flowers fresh weight and shoot numbers were significantly increased.