Influence of Slow-release Fertilizer Source on Growth and Quality of Areca Palm, Chrysalidocarpus lutescens Wendl

There was little difference noted in plant growth and quality of Areca palm, Chrysalidocarpus lutescens Wendl., when treated with three levels of several slow-release fertilizers at the manufacturer's recommended rates. The two resin-coated (RC) materials 18N-2.6P-10K and 17N-3.1P-10K (18-6-12 and 17-7-12) and urea formaldehyde (UF) fertilizer 10N-4.4P-8.3K (10-10-10) resulted in significantly better growth than either the isobutyledene diurea (IBDU) 20N-2.2P-4.2K (20-5-5) or the sulfur-coated urea (SCU) 14N-6P-12K (14-14-14) fertilizer sources. The RC materials were the least expensive fertilizers used in the production of this slow growing crop.