NUTRIENT SOLUTIONS AND TRADITIONAL PRODUCTION SYSTEM OF CHRYSANTHEMUM ON GROWTH AND NUTRIENT CONCENTRATION IN LEAVES

The production of flowers and ornamental crops has acquired a big importance due to the high income that they represent. The region of Texcoco, Mexico is an important producer of ornamental crops, especially of chrysanthemum. Nevertheless, the use of fertilizer is limited only to foliar fertilization. Thus, the aim of this experiment was to establish a comparison of growth parameters of the traditional system of cultivation of 'Snow Eleonora' chrysanthemum to those obtained with the use of nutrient solution of Steiner in three concentrations (12.5, 25.0 and 37.5%). Crop management was carried out as growers do it. When the flowers were cut, concentrations of N, P, K, Ca and Mg in leaf were determined; growth parameters such as plant height, stem diameter and inflorescence diameter were measured as well. N, P and K concentrations had a positive correlation with the concentration of nutrient solution and statistical differences to the results obtained in the traditional system of production were observed. No differences were evident between treatments in Ca and Mg concentrations. The growth parameters registered the highest value with the application of nutrient solution of Steiner at 37.5%. Thereby, the use of nutrient solution, even in lowest concentration, increased nutrient concentration and growth of chrysanthemum.