Nitrogen levels and leaching effects on geranium (Pelargonium hortorum) stock plant growth under a Leca-based hydroculture system

Three independent but interrelated experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of growing media, irrigation systems and NO3-N concentrations on geranium (Pelargonium hortorum) stock plant production cv "Yours Truly". Different growth and quality (cuttings) parameters were taken at different sampling dates. No3-N leaching content was measured everyday analyzed or at each irrigation time (exp 3).;Leca clay pebbles resulted an excellent growing media to be used in a hydroculture system. Its physical and chemical properties allowed the plant to grow with a high quality market value.;Geraniums plant growth parameters resulted valuable when plant were grown at 100 ppm in a Leca-based hydroculture system. Since no significance difference were found between plants grown at 100, 200, 350, ppm of NO3-N, then the 100 ppm level can be recommended. The plants grown at 10 ppm resulted smaller, with poor quality, and also with lower level carbohydrate and total ;Plants grown in soilless under a subirrigation system resulted with a quality in terms of growth parameters than plant grown in soilless under drip, Leca under drip and Leca in subirrigation.;No significant differences in carbohydrates and total ;Plants grown at 100 ppm produced more cutting compared with the latter treatments. Cuttings obtained from plants grown at 100 and 200 ppm resulted with better rooting performance (100%).;Plants grown in soilless under a subirrigation system resulted with higher quality in terms of growth parameters, than plants grown in soilless under drip, Leca with drip and Leca with subirrigation.