EFFECT OF GROWING MEDIA AND NITROGEN FERTILIZATION ON THE GROWTH AND CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF PASPALUM VAGINATUM, L.

Abstract

This study was carried out in the Nursery ofFloriculture, Ornamental Horticulture and Landscape GardeningDepartment, Faculty of Agriculture, Alexandria University, during thetwo successive seasons of 2011 and 2012. The aim was to evaluate theeffect of growing media and mineral fertilization on growth of thelawn Paspalum vaginatum,L.Split-plot was the experimented design in three replicates, andsixteen in each. The main plot represented the growing media (A)100% calcareous soil (B) 50% calcareous soil:50% sand, (C) 50%calcareous soil:50% sewage sludge and (D) 50% calcareous soil:25%sand:25% sewage sludge. The sub-plot nitrogen levels were four (0.00(N0), 5.00 (N1), 10.00 (N2) and 15.00 (N3) g N/m2).The main results of this study can be summarized in the followingpoints:1- Generally, medium (C), consisting of 50% calcareous soil:50%sewage sludge with the addition of the fourth level of nitrogen(N3), gave the shortest time to complete covering and gave the bestresults of leaf blade length and the best results for the total dryweight of vegetative growth parts.2- The medium (B), containing 50% calcareous soil:50% sand withthe addition of the fourth level of nitrogen (N3) gave the bestresults in terms of roots volume.3- The media containing either 50% or 25% sand with the addition ofthe fourth level of nitrogen (N3) gave the best results in terms ofdry weight of roots.4- Chemical analysis showed that there were non significant effectsfor growing media on the total chlorophylls content and thenitrogen percentage in the leaves.5- Increasing nitrogen levels led to significant increases in the totalchlorophylls content of leaves and the nitrogen % in the dry matter.