RESPONSE OF ECKESPOINT LILO POINSETTIA TO NITRITE, SUBSTRATE PH AND ETRIDIAZOLE IN A SUBIRRIGATION SYSTEM

Poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd. 'Eckespoint Lilo') were grow n in pH-adjusted (4.5, 5.5 or 6.5) sphagnum peat substrates and subirr igated using a complete nutrient solution with three concentrations of nitrite (0, 1.75 and 3.5 mol m(-1)). The substrate also was either tr eated with a nitrification inhibitor (etridiazole) or remained untreat ed. There was a linear decrease in leaf and bract areas,rop dry weight , plant height and root growth with increasing nitrite concentration. This response occurred at a rate of 10% mol(-1) NO2- m(-3) at a substr ate pH of 4.5 or 5.5 and 6% mol(-1) NO2- m(-3) at a substrate pH of 6. 5. Leaf and bract areas and top dry weight were greater at pH 4.5 than at pH 6.5. Etridiazole did not affect the response of plant growth to nitrite and (or) substrate pH.