The present study was carried out during two successive seasons (2008 and 2009) at the Nursery of the Alexandria University, Somoha, Alexandria, Egypt to determined the optimum rate of application of two types of slow release fertilizers [Hydro complex (HC) and PG-Mix (PG)] on growth and chemical composition of some indoor plants (Dracaena marginata and Beaucarnea recuvata) growing in pot experiments.
With respect to the Dracaena marginata experiment, it was found that applying 15 g/plant of HC at four-month intervals resulted in the highest significant values of plant height, leaf number/plant, leaf length and width, stem diameter, root volume and root dry weight. Moreover, applying the above mentioned treatment gave the highest significant values of leaf NPK contents, leaf total chlorophyll contents and total carbohydrates.
Whereas, fertilizing the plants with PG at rate of application of 15 g/plant at four-month intervals resulted in the highest significant values of fresh and dry weights of leaves. On the other hand, the results indicated that there were no significant differences detected due to applying 15 g or 10 g/plant at four-month intervals of HC on leaf number/plant , leaf length and width, stem diameter, root dry weight, leaf phosphorus and total carbohydrates contents.
Regarding the Beaucarnea recuvata experiment, the results indicated that fertilizing the plants with HC at rate of application of 15 g/plant at four-month intervals resulted in the highest significant values of leaf number/plant, leaf length and width, fresh and dry weights of leaves, stem length and stem diameter, root volume, as well as gave the highest significant values of leaf NPK contents and total carbohydrates. Whereas, fertilizing the plants with PG at rate of application of 15 g/plant at four-month intervals resulted in the highest significant values of total leaf chlorophyll contents. On the other hand, it was found that there were no significant differences detected due to applying either 15 or 10 g of PG on leaf number/plant, leaf length, stem length and diameter, root volume and leaf nitrogen and potassium contents. Whereas, applying with 10 g/plant of PG at four-month intervals resulted in the highest significant values of leaf total chlorophyll contents.
The study recommends applying the slow release fertilizer Hydro complex at rate of application of 15 g/plant at four-month intervals to get the most quality of the characters study of Dracaena marginata and Beaucarnea recuvata plants grown in pots.