Journal of Bio-Environment Control ISSN:1229-4675(Print) 2765-3641(Online) 생물환경조절학회지

This study was conducted to determine the effects of a pre-planting fertilizers with various NH₄⁺:NO₃^- ratios in a coir dust:peatmoss:perlite (3.5:3.5:3.0, v/v/v) medium on the growth of hot pepper (Capsicum annuum L. cv. Nokkwang) plug seedling. Nitrogen levels were fixed to 300 mg·L^-1 and the NH₄⁺:NO₃^- ratios were varied to 0:100, 27:73, 50:50, 73:27, and 100:0. The 50-cell trays were filled with treatment media containing pre-plant fertilizers, then seeds were sown. After seeds were germinated, the trays were moved to greenhouse and seedlings were feed with 13-2-13 and 20-9-20 fertilizers, alternatively. The changes in pH and EC were measured every week and soil solution for nutrient concentrations were analyzed in week 0, 3, and 7. The measurements of seedling growths as well as analysis of tissue nutrient contents were also conducted in week 7. The varied NH₄⁺:NO₃^- ratios did not influence on the pHs of root media after incorporation of pre-planting fertilizers, but the ECs were heightened as proportion of NH₄⁺to NO₃^-were elevated. During the raising of seedlings, the pHs rose over time in the treatments of 0:100 and 27:73 (NH₄⁺: NO₃^-). The concentrations of all macro-elements in root media decreased gradually as seedlings grew in all treatments. The seedling growths 7 weeks after seed sowing were the highest in the treatments of 27:73 and 50:50 (NH₄⁺:NO₃^-) and those became worse in the treatments of higher NH₄⁺ratios than 73%. In terms of inorganic element contents based on the dry weight of above ground tissue, the treatment of 0:100 showed the lowest content of Ca, Mg, Na, Cu, Mn, and Zn. Based on the results, it is desired that NH₄⁺ratio in pre-planting fertilization is maintained to be 50% or less for the raising of hot pepper plug seedlings.