Effect of application of Nitrogen and Potassium fertilizers on some vegetative and reproductive traits in Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa)

Shiva Ghasemi, Khadijeh Abbaszadeh, Mostafa Ghasemi, Morteza Salari, Fatemeh Zarei

Department of Horticulture, Hormozgan University, Bandar Abbas, Iran

Key words: Roselle, Nitrogen, Potassium, Vegetative, Reproductive.

Abstract

Ruby_Shangri-La_-_Red_Roselle_Tea_1_lbne74A pot experiment was carried out to examine the effect of application of nitrogen and potassium fertilizers on some vegetative and reproductive traits in Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa). Treatments were included control with no fertilizer (T1); 70 mg N per kg soil (T2); 50 mg K2O per kg soil (T3); and combination of T2 and T3 (T4) that applied on 30 day old seedlings. In the end of experiment (30 days after flowering), the parameters stem height, stem diameter, number of leaves and flowers, flower diameter, calyx length, number of shoots, fresh and dry weight of organs and vitamin C were evaluated. The results showed that were significant differences in some parameters among applied treatments. Treatments 3 and 4 showed no significant differences in studied parameters. Application of nitrogen fertilizer decreased the levels of vitamin C while potassium fertilizer and integrated use of N and K increased the levels of vitamin C. The traits stem height, stem diameter, number of leaves, number of flowers, number of shoots, biomass of leaves and flowers were not significantly affected by fertilizer treatments. The highest flower diameter (2.63 cm), calyx length (2.91 cm) and flower dry weight (10.56 g), were obtained at treatment of 50 mg K2O kg-1 soil. The results showed that the treatments K alone and combination of N with K were more efficient than either N or no fertilizer in improving traits of Roselle.

Source:

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