Influence Of Nitrogen And Dolomitic Limestone On Whitmanii Fern

Abstract Nephrolepsis exaltata (L.) Schott cv. Whitmanii supplied with 3 fertilizer rates and varying rates of dolomitic limestone grew more efficiently at lower N rates when 0-3.0 kg/m3 of dolomitic limestone was used. Nonlimed ferns exhibited marginal foliar necrosis damage when fertilized with 300 and 450 ppm N, while limed ferns exhibited similar damage only when fertilized at 450 ppm N. Liming decreased foliar N content, increased medium soluble salt levels, prevented the increase in pH level from high fertilizer rates, and provided a buffer against toxicity, possibly from ammonia.