Effect of nitrogen sources on the vegetative growth and the chemical analysis contents of ornamental palms of Arenga pinnata and Butia capitata palms

Abstract

Ornamental palms are one of the most important components of tropical, subtropical, and warm temperate climate landscapes. Sugar palm (Arenga pinnata) and Pindo palm (Butia capitata (Mart.), have great economic values and they are excellent palm trees for landscapes. Meanwhile, palm growth and quality are greatly affected by nutritional deficiencies. Different nitrogen sources may be preferred for use with different plant species. Since there is not enough information about fertilization treatments for most of ornamental palms, especially at early growth stages under local conditions in Egypt. Therefore, the objectives of this study are to identify the most appropriate type of nitrogen sources to fertilize ornamental palms of Arenga pinnata and Butia capitate for improving vegetative growth and successful establishment stage in transplanted from containers. Three different sources of nitrogen as ammonium sulfate at 5 g/pot, potassium nitrate at 3g/pot, and urea at 2 g/pot, were applied. The results revealed that vegetative growth parameters and chemical analysis contents of the studied palms, varied among the three treatments of nitrogen sources, the highest value of plant height, number of leaves, fresh and dry weights of leaves and roots achieved with potassium nitrate at 3g/pot. The highest values of chemical content, increased progressively by potassium nitrate and ammonium sulfate as compared with urea. It can be recommended to use potassium nitrate at 3g/pot or ammonium sulfate at 5 g/pot to improve the vegetative growth characteristics of the two ornamental palm plants.