Effects of Three Levels of N, P, K on the Growth of Sander's Dracaena (D. sanderiana Hort.)

Abstract

Sander's Dracaena (Dracaena sanderiana, Hort.) was grown in 3 x 3 x 3 N, P, K factorial experiment in a 1:1 mixture of peat moss and Cataño sand. Commercial cuttings were harvested at regular intervals during a 32-mo growing period. Fresh weight, length, number of leaves , and weight of leaves was recorded from each harvested cutting. Nitrogen affected significantly the number of harvested cuttings per unit area, total growth and total top growth, all of which were highest at 600 pounds of N/acre/yr. Phosphorus affected significantly only the number of harvested cuttings while potassium affected significantly total growth, top growth, root growth, mean size and mean weight of harvested cuttings, and leal mean weight. The fitting of a modification of the fertilizer-yield equation Y = A/1 + B( C - X)² showed that maximum yields in terms of number of cuttings were obtained with a combination of approximately 648, 465 and 583 pounds of N, P, K/acre/yr, respectively. The maximum total growth and top growth depended more on the phosphorus and less on the potassium. Root growth was definitely affected by the phosphorus applications.