Beneficial effects of slow release fertilizers incorporated into the rooting medium of mango cuttings

A slow growth rate was observed in potted rooted cuttings of mango though they were irrigated with complete nutrients. The possibility arose that by incorporating slow release fertilizers into the rooting medium, subsequent growth of rooted cuttings might be better, as reported in the literature for other species. Semi hardwood cuttings were planted in containers (750 ml) containing media with different combinations of slow release fertilizers forming different ratios between NIP, N/K and K/P. For each ratio 3 levels of fertilizers were added forming 9 treatments. In all of them a constant amount of a slow release fertilizer of microelements was added too. An additional treatment without fertilizers served as a control. After rooting under intermittent mist the containers were transferred to a greenhouse for further development where they were irrigated with a complete nutrient solution. The number of flushes produced by the rooted cuttings was significantly affected by the slow release fertilizers in the media. The main effect was of the amount of the fertilizer and less of its composition. After three months from planting, in all three high concentrations, about 3 new flushes were recorded as compared to 1.5 in the control. The total number of leaves per plant was increased also as a result of higher number of flushes as well as higher number of leaves per hush. The height increment in the high concentration of the fertilizers was 35-50 cm as compared to 5 cm in the control. © ISHS.