Effect of plant density and fertilization on the production of Monstera deliciosa L.

A field experiment was carried out at Research and Production Station, National Research Centre at Nubaria, during 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 seasons to study the effect of plant spacing, nitrogen sources fertilization i.e. mineral nitrogen (MN) and organic nitrogen (ON) on the growth of Ceriman (Monstera deliciosa L.). The experimental design used was split-plot design with three replications. Plant spacing treatments were assigned to the main plots 50, 60 and 75 cm. Nitrogen sources fertilization treatments were: control, 100%MN, 100%ON, 75%MN+25%ON, 50%MN+50%ON and 25%MN+75%ON, and they were assigned to the sub-plots. Results indicated that the maximum values of stem diameter, number of leaves/plants, petiole length, leaf length, leaf width, leaf area( cm²) and fresh and dry weights of all plant organs were obtained when the spacing was 75 cm between the plants, while the maximum values of plant height was obtained when the spacing was 50 cm between the plants. The highest percentage of total carbohydrates in leaves, chlorophyll (a) content and potassium (%) were obtained from spacing at 60 cm. The greatest percentage of total soluble sugars in leaves, carotenoids content, nitrogen and phosphorus (%) in leaves, stems and roots were recorded with spacing of75 cm. While, the highest content of chlorophyll (b) was found at spacing of 50 cm. Also, the results indicated that the maximum values for plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves, petiole length, leaf length, leaf area (cm²) and fresh and dry weights of all plant organs were obtained with 100%MN fertilization treatment in both seasons. Whereas, the broadest leaves were obtained with applying 75%MN+25%ON fertilization in both seasons. The highest values of total carbohydrates (%) and phosphorus (%) in the leaves were obtained with 50%MN+50%ON. The greatest values of chlorophyll (a,b), carotenoids content, nitrogen and potassium (%) in leaves were recorded with 100%MN. The highest value of total soluble sugars(%) in leaves was attained with 100%ON. Interaction between plant spacing and nitrogen sources resulted in the maximum values of number of leaves, petiole length, leaf length, leaf width, leaf area and fresh and dry weights of all plant organs with spacing of 75 cm between plants and applying 100%MN fertilization. The highest values of total soluble sugar (%), chlorophyll (a), carotenoids content, nitrogen and potassium(%) were obtained with 75 cm spacing combined with 100%MN. The greatest values of total carbohydrates (%) and phosphorus (%) were recorded under 50%MN+50%ON combined with 60 and 75 cm spacings. Also, the highest value of chlorophyll (b) content was recorded under 50 cm spacing and 100%MN. The best treatment for highest growth of Monstera was 75 cm distance and 100%MN fertilization followed by the 75%MN+25%ON treatment.