Abstract
This research was conducted to determine the plant growth and nutrient contents of potted chrysanthemum 'Lima Honey' as influenced by application rate of dolomite in three root media, peatmoss+vermiculite (1:1, v/v), peatmoss+composted rice hall (1:1, v/v), and peatmoss+composted pine bark (1:1, v/v). All root media contained polyacrylic acid sodium salt (PASS) at a rate of $4.5g L^{-1}$. In crop growth at 40 and 80 days after transplanting, elevated application rates of dolomite up to $6.0g L^{-1}$ in three root media increased fresh and dry weights per plant. But the treatment of $9.0g L^{-1}$ had less fresh and dry weights than those of $6.0g L^{-1}$. Tissue phosphorus content decreased and those of Ca and Mg increased by the elevated application rates of dolomite. Elevated application rates of dolomite in three root media resulted in the increase of pH, EC, and the concentrations of K, Ca, and Mg at 43 days after transplanting. Those at 80 days after transplanting were also increased, but the differences among treatments were less significant as compared to those at 43 days after transplanting. From the results of dry weight in potted chrysanthemum 'Lima Honey', the proper application rate of dolomite to three root media containing PASS at a rate of $4.5g L^{-1}$ were $6.0g L^{-1}$.
