The influence of phosphorous, copper, zinc and arbuscular mycorrhiza on growth, photosynthetic processes and financial viability of artemisia afra grown in a simulated marginial soil of the Western Cape

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of supplementary phosphorus, copper and zinc alone and in conjunction with arbuscular mycorrhiza on Artemisia afra grown in a simulated soil medium. The treatments consisted two groups. Group A had no mycorrhizal inoculation and 1) no supplementary fertilization, 2) supplementary zinc application, 3) supplementary copper 4) supplementary phosphorus 5) supplementary zinc and copper, 6) supplementary zinc and phosphorus, 7) supplementary copper and phosphorus, 8) supplementary zinc, copper, and phosphorus. Group B had mycorrhizal inoculation in combination with 9) no supplementary fertilization, 10) supplementary zinc application, 11) supplementary copper 12) supplementary phosphorus 13) supplementary zinc and copper, 14) supplementary zinc and phosphorus, 15) supplementary copper and phosphorus, 16) supplementary zinc, copper, and phosphorus. There was also a pilot study into the pH range most suitable for the cultivation of A. afra in a hydroponic system, which was used to refine the mycorrhizal investigation, as pH has influences with regards to nutrient uptake of plants.