Effetti della tecnica di concimazione sull'allevamento di Pelargonium zonale L. in vaso

Choosing the right fertilization technique is particularly important in nursery gardening, as it significantly impacts the success of the product intended for marketing and production costs. Fertigation is the most common fertilization practice in nurseries, however, the use of slow-acting formulations, which allow for significant savings in equipment and labor, is increasingly common. This research aimed to evaluate the vegetative-productive response to different fertilization methods in a highly prized potted plant: geranium. Three different fertilization methods were compared: fertilization with a controlled-release fertilizer (Osmocote – 18:9:10; 2 MgO) (thesis A), continuous fertigation (thesis B), and fertilization with a controlled-release fertilizer integrated with fertigation. The nutrient solution for Thesis B was prepared to provide the same fertilizer doses administered with the controlled-release formulation. For Thesis C, fertilization was supplemented with the administration of a nutrient solution containing the mineral elements periodically detected in the leachate of Thesis A, so as to maintain a constant level of available nutrients (Thesis C).