EFFECT OF DIFFERENT LEVELS OF SHADING AND FERTILIZING ON THE GROWTH AND PRODUCTION OF ASPARAGUS AND RUSCUS ORNAMENTAL PLANTS

Abstract

In a pot experiment, plants of Asparagus densiflorus var. “Meyers” and Ruscus hypoglossum were grown under two levels of saran shade (33 and 63%). The plants were fertilized with three levels of NPK fertilization; (16:5:10), (32:10:20) and (48:15:30) kg/ 30 cm pot/ season. A vase life experiment was done to study the effects of different levels of shade and fertilizing on life and quality of Asparagus and Ruscus branches. For Asparagus plants, high level of shade (63%) and fertilization with NPK (48:15:30) kg/pot/season produced the highest shoot length, total chlorophyll, and chemical contents (N, P and K %). Meanwhile, 33% shade gave the highest number of shoots and the longest vase life. However, fertilization levels had no significant effect on vase life. In Ruscus plants, 63% shade gave the highest shoot length, shoot fresh weight, potassium and magnesium content, nitrogen content (for the first season) and highest vase life (on October 2011 and April 2012). The increase in fertilization levels caused increasing in shoot length, shoot number, fresh and dry weight of shoots, chlorophyll content, nitrogen, calcium and magnesium content.

Key words: Asparagus densiflorus, Ruscus hypoglossum, Shading, Fertilization, NPK, Vase life