The changes of the assimilation pigments content of turf Festuca spp. leaves after application of different nutrition forms

Abstract

The aim of this experiment was to compare find out of the changes of assimilation pigments content of turf Festuca spp. leaves after application of different nutrition forms under non–irrigated conditions. In period April 2012 – May 2015 (without June 2014 and February 2015) experiment was carried out in warm and dry conditions in area of Nitra (Slovak Republic). Concentration of assimilation pigments (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and total carotenoids) was determined spectrophotometrically. The experiment was included 10 treatments: 1. Without fertilization, 2. Saltpetre with dolomite, superphosphate, potassium salt, 3. Turf fertilizer NPK 15-3-8 (+ 3MgO + 0.8 Fe + 18S), 4. Slow release fertilizer NPK 14-5-14 (+ 4CaO + 4MgO + 7S), 5. Controlled release fertilizer NPK (S) 13-9-18 (+ 6S), 6. Organic fertilizer NPK 5-1-1, 7. Organic fertilizer NPK 3-2-1 and 3 mycorrhizal preparations. The use of inorganic and organic fertilizers resulted in an increase chlorophyll a, b content and total chlorophyll in leaves Festuca spp. More pronounced increase in chlorophyll content was found by the application of the Turf fertilizer. Application of this fertilizer has a statistically significant effect on content of chlorophyll a + b than in the other evaluated treatments without turfs fertilized by Controlled release fertilizer and Organic fertilizer NPK 5-1-1. A statistically significant increase in the total carotenoids concentration was observed after the use of Saltpetre with dolomite, superphosphate, potassium salt and Turf fertilizer as compared to the non-fertilized control.

Keywords

• turf
• Festuca spp.
• fertilizers application
• chlorophyll
• total carotenoids