The Effect of Plant Variety and Soil-Amendments on Micronutrient Deficiencies in Calibrachoa

Abstract

The common nursery crop Calibrachoa was grown in local topsoil to analyze the effects of micronutrient (iron, copper, manganese, and zinc) deficiencies between varieties and with the addition of Ca(OH)2 as a soil amendment. Both Calibrachoa x hybrida ‘Cherry Pink’ and ‘White’ showed possible iron, manganese, and zinc deficiencies, although only zinc concentrations were significantly different between them. Symptoms varied between varieties, but may have been due to different growth habits. Plants grown in Ca(0H)2-amended soil developed micronutrient deficiencies sooner and to a greater extent than the control plants. However, no significant difference was found between treatment groups because of a narrow pH range. Further study is needed to isolate the exact deficiency(s) causing the observed appearance as most micronutrient deficiencies are manifested as similar symptoms.