ARS | Publication request: EFFECT OF NITROGEN, POTASSIUM AND SILICON ON DISEASE SUSCEPTIBILITY OF VARIOUS HERBACEOUS ORNAMENTAL CORP SPECIES

Submitted to: Phytopathology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: March 12, 2004
Publication Date: June 10, 2004
Repository URL: http://www.ars.usda.gov/sp2UserFiles/Place/36071000/Posters/Locke167681_2004_Effect.pdf
Citation: Locke, J.C., Pitchay, D., Frantz, J. 2004. Effect of nitrogen, potassium and silicon on disease susceptibility of various herbaceous ornamental corp species. Phytopathology. 94:S62.

Technical Abstract: These studies report the effect of two essential plant nutrients and a non-essential, beneficial nutrient on the susceptibility of a diversity of herbaceous ornamental plant species to the ubiquous fungal pathogen Botrytis cinerea. Both nitrogen and potassium are considered major essential elements to plant growth and are provided through fertigation using the appropriate fertilizer based on the N-P-K analysis. Over fertilization can often occur and the luxuriant plant growth that results is alleged to predispose plants to disease. Silicon is not considered an essential nutrient for plant growth, but with the advent of soilless culture media utilization in greenhouse production, the potential supply of silicon to the plant is eliminated. It has been reported that the presence of silicon can lead to enhanced plant resistance to fungal attack. Silicon is reported to be differentially taken up by plants based on their taxonomy. These studies demonstrate differential uptake and accumulation of these nutrients and the resulting differential susceptibility to attack by B. cinerea.