EFFECT OF PLANT SPACING AND NK FERTILIZATION ON VEGETATIVE GROWTH AND FLOWER PRODUCTION OF Helichrysum bracteatum Andr. PLANT

Two field experiments were carried out at the Agricultural Experiment and Research Station, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Giza during 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 seasons to study the effect of plant spacing, nitrogen and potassium fertilization on the vegetative growth and flower production of strawflower plant (Helichrysum bracteatum Andr.).Planting space treatments were 20, 30 and 40cm. Fertilization treatments by using ammonium nitrate (33.5%N) at the rates of 100,150 and 200Kg/fed (N1, N2, N3, respectively) and potassium sulphate (48%K2O) at the rates of 50 and 75Kg/fed (K1, K2, respectively), in addition to the control. The results indicated that the highest values for plant height, the number of branches and inflorescence diameter were obtained for planting distance at 40cm, while the maximum values for fresh and dry weights of plant and leaves were obtained for plants at 30cm .The application of NK treatment increased plant height, the number of branches, fresh and dry weight of leaves and plant and flower diameter of strawflower as compared with the control. Interaction between plant spacing and NK resulted in the maximum values for the number of branches /plant and inflorescence diameter cultivated at 40cm apart with the application of 200kg ammonium nitrate and 75kg potassium sulphate.