Investigation of plant growth and flower performance on a semi-extensive green roof

Understanding of plant growth and flower performance is crucial for appropriate planting design. This study was aimed to understand characteristics of growth pattern and flower performance in green roof plants and how plant species diversity effect these characteristics. A semi-extensive green roof was installed in 2005 and 54 species plant species were planted in 10 cm and 20 cm of the substrate in Rotherham, UK. Thirty-two quadrats (50 cm × 50 cm) were set up through the combinations of plant species diversity (high and low), planting density (high and low). Percentage of coverage and height of each species were recorded at every month from February to November 2006 in these 32 quadrates. Flowering time of each species was studied every two weeks from February to November 2006. Flowering time was various from plants; some showed a very long flowering time, over five months whereas some finished flowering within two weeks. The growth characteristics of individual plant species over time were categorized into six patterns of coverage and vertical growth pattern. Spread of individual plants was larger in high diversity of plants than those in low diversity of plants. Number of flowering was higher and overall flowering term was longer in the quadrats of higher plant species diversity than those of lower plant diversity. However, these tendencies were affected strongly by the combination of species used. Therefore, it is important to be aware of individual plant growth characteristics such as plant size, growth pattern and flower performance for planting design.     

Quality assessment of three warm-season turfgrasses growing in different substrate depths on shallow green roof systems

In an effort to increase the accessibility and functionality of shallow green roof systems, the ability of warm-season grasses to provide acceptable growth needs to be further investigated. In the current study, which was conducted during 2011 and 2012, three warm-season grasses (hybrid bermudagrass, Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. x C. transvaalensis Burtt-Davy ‘MiniVerde’; seashore paspalum, Paspalum vaginatum Swartz ‘Platinum TE’ and zoysiagrass, Zoysia japonica Steud. ‘Zenith’) were established in outdoor lysimeters. The lysimeters were equipped with all necessary green roof layers placed below a coarse-textured substrate that comprised pumice, thermally treated attapulgite clay, peat, compost and zeolite. Half of the lysimeters had a substrate depth of 15 cm, while the other half had a substrate depth of 7.5 cm. Irrigation was applied at crop evapotranspiration (ET_c). Measurements included determination of substrate moisture content, green turf cover (GTC) and leaf stomatal resistance. Significant differences were observed in the values of GTC among the three turfgrass species and the two substrate depths. Zoysiagrass exhibited the best adaptation at the lower depths of shallow green roof systems. At 15 cm substrate depth, zoysiagrass managed to sustain green coverage for the two study periods. In addition, it was the only turfgrass species that managed to perform well at the substrate depth of 7.5 cm. Seashore paspalum exhibited limited green cover at both substrate depths, while hybrid bermudagrass could provide acceptable green coverage only at 15 cm substrate depth.     

An adaptive approach to intensive green roofs in the Mediterranean climatic region

The present study aims to introduce an adaptive approach to intensive green roofs by evaluating suitable, lightweight substrates and by determining the effect of their depth on the growth and physiological status of Pittosporum tobira L. and Olea europaea L. The two-year study was conducted in outdoor containers (1.2 m × 1.2 m) while treatments included the use of two depths (30 cm and 40 cm) and three different substrates: (a) pumice (Pum) mixed with peat (P) and zeolite (Z) in a volumetric proportion of 65:30:5 (Pum₆₅:P₃₀:Z₅), (b) pumice mixed with compost (C) and zeolite in a volumetric proportion of 65:30:5 (Pum₆₅:C₃₀:Z₅) and (c) sandy loam soil (S) mixed with perlite (Per) and zeolite in a volumetric proportion of 30:65:5 (S₃₀:Per₆₅:Z₅). Each experimental plot was planted with four plants of P. tobira and one plant of O. europaea var. Koroneiki. Measurements included determination of the physical and chemical characteristics of the substrates while plant growth and physiological status were determined through plant growth index, trunk perimeter for olive trees, SPAD measurements and chlorophyll_a+b content. Both the plant species exhibited better growth and higher chlorophyll content in the compost-amended substrate (Pum₆₅:C₃₀:Z₅) due to its higher nutrient content. The 40 cm depth substrate provided minimal improvement in the growth of both the plants at the end of the first year while in the second year the deeper substrate positively influenced the growth of olive trees.     

Evaluation and modelling of greenhouse cucumber-crop transpiration under high and low radiation conditions

The main objective of this study was to analyse the transpiration time course of soilless culture cucumber plants (Cucumis sativus L.) during two cycles, at low (up to 9 MJ m⁻² d⁻¹) and high (up to 20 MJ m⁻² d⁻¹) radiation levels, and their relationship with greenhouse climate parameters (incident radiation and vapour pressure deficit, VPD) and canopy development. The coefficients of the simplified Penman–Monteith formula were calibrated in order to calculate the transpiration rate of the crop, to help improve irrigation management in substrate cultivation. The transpiration rate per ground surface area was measured by weighing plants with an electronic balance.At high radiation levels, the diurnal canopy transpiration rate was four times higher than at low radiation levels and the night transpiration rate reached values between 120 and 200 g m⁻² d⁻¹ in both cases. The leaf transpiration rate decreased during crop ontogeny and was higher in the afternoon than in the morning for the same value of radiation, whereas a linear relationship with the VPD was found even for values greater than 3 kPa. The results showed that the fitted simplified Penman–Monteith formula accounted for more than 90% of the measured hourly canopy transpiration rate, signifying that this formula could be used to predict water requirements of crops under Mediterranean conditions and improve irrigation control in a substrate culture. However, the model coefficients will have to be adjusted for specific climate and crop conditions.     

Effects of ammonium sulphate and urea on NO3− and NO2− accumulation,nutrient contents and yield criteria in spinach

In this study, effects of ammonium sulphate (AS) and urea fertilizers on NO₃⁻ and NO₂⁻ accumulation, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn contents and some yield criteria in spinach were investigated. Increments in nitrogen doses of AS and urea from 0 (control) to 150 kg N level ha⁻¹ increased NO₃⁻, NO₂⁻, total N contents and yield of spinach significantly, but usually decreased P, Zn and Mn contents. NO₃⁻ contents of spinach in 120 and 150 kg N ha⁻¹ of urea applications were higher than that of AS applications, while the NO₃⁻ contents of spinach in the lower application doses of AS were higher than that of urea applications. Increasing phosphorus availability in the higher doses of AS applications due to possibility of decreasing soil pH might be decrease NO₃⁻ accumulation in spinach by assimilating NO₃⁻ in protein form. NO₃⁻ and NO₂⁻ contents also gave the significant negative relationships with yield and P content in spinach. Decreasing micronutrient contents in spinach at the higher nitrogen doses might be due to dilution effect by increasing the plant biomass.     

An index to identify suitable species in urban green areas

This paper presents a method that allows sorting of tree and shrub species according to their suitability for planting in urban areas of Madrid (Spain). Suitability was determined from a weighted index for each species according to the severity of damage (biotic, abiotic, and anthropogenic; stem wounds are the main problem in trees, while dead plants are the most important problem in shrubs, seasonal flowers, and vines) and to risk, which was obtained from a new measure, observed Species per Green Area per Year (SAYs). The greater the number of damaged SAYs, the less suitable a species was considered for outdoor planting. For this purpose, 49 green areas corresponding to 141 ha were sampled during 2005–2008. The tree species least recommended for planting include Robinia pseudoacacia, Ulmus sp., Acer negundo, Platanus × hybrid, Populus Boolleana. The shrubs least recommended for planting are Nerium oleander, Cotoneaster sp., Euonymus europaeus, Pyracantha coccinea, and Pittosporum tobira. Statistical analysis reveals that native species have a lower percentage of damaged SAYs than non-native species.     

Rose productivity and physiological responses to different substrates for soil-less culture

Cultivation of roses in various soil-less media was studied with the aim to identify the optimum soil condition for rose production. Madelon roses grafted on rootstock of Rosa indica var. major were transplanted to polyethylene bags containing zeolite and perlite (at ratios of 25z:75p, 50z:50p, 75z:25p and 100z:0p, v/v) in a climate-controlled greenhouse. Net photosynthesis (A_net), stomatal conductance (g_s) and water use efficiency (WUE) of roses were followed for 5 months. Flower production and quality were recorded in three flowering flushes during a 5-month period. Analysis of variance of repeated measurements showed that even though the overall A_net did not differ among treatments (average 18.7 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹), trends in A_net seasonality for roses in 25z:75p substrate differed significantly from those in 50z:50p, 75z:25p or 100z:0p. Stomatal conductance did not show any significant seasonality or trends in response to substrate mixtures, averaging 0.89 mol m⁻² s⁻¹. Water use efficiency was significantly lower for roses in 25z:75p than in 100z:0p mixtures (1.8 ± 0.15 and 2.0 ± 0.13 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ CO₂/mmol m⁻² s⁻¹ H₂O, respectively). Cumulative production of rose plants did not differ among substrate mixtures. Productivity significantly differed among flower stem classes. Stem class I (>70 cm) and class V (≤30 cm) exhibited the least production, contributing to only 7.6 and 3.7% of the total production, respectively. The highest productivity was observed in classes III (51–60 cm) and IV (31–50 cm), contributing to the bulk of productivity (68.4%). Class II contributed a 20.3% of the production. Results showed that zeolite and perlite acted as inert materials. Zeolite did not exert any positive effect on productivity, in contrast to what has been reported in literature recently. Use of perlite resulted in a little improvement in photosynthesis, however this improvement was not reflected by a significant increase in production.     

Estimating the stormwater attenuation benefits derived from planting four monoculture species of deciduous trees on vacant and underutilized urban land parcels

This paper presents research that was undertaken to determine whether planting deciduous trees, using intensive tree planting schemes, on vacant and underutilized urban land provides significant hydrologic benefits. This work contributes to an ongoing discussion on how to use vacant and underutilized land productively, and may be important to land use decision-makers, whose policies support the use of green infrastructure for stormwater management. Tree growth parameters for four monoculture planting schemes were modeled (all trees had a 50.8 mm caliper at planting) and included (i) 450 Ginkgo biloba, (ii) 92 Platanus × acerifolia, (iii) 120 Acer saccharinum, and (iv) 434 Liquidambar styraciflua, on a 1.6-acre parcel. i-Tree Hydro (formerly UFORE-Hydro) was used to derive a simplified Microsoft Excel-based water balance model to quantify the canopy interception potential and evaporation, based on 7 years (2002–2008) of historical hourly rainfall and mean temperature data in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. This study revealed that three of the species responded similarly, while one species (L. styraciflua) performed significantly better with respect to total canopy storage potential and evaporation, capturing and evaporating 2.9 m³/tree over the 7 years analyzed, or 1280 m³ for the total tree stand of 434 trees. The analyses presented herein demonstrate that the tree canopy layer was able to intercept and evaporate approximately 6.5%–11% of the total rainfall that falls onto the crown across the 7 years studied, for the G. biloba, P. × acerifolia and A. saccharinum tree stands and 17%–27% for the L. styraciflua tree stand. This study revealed that the rate at which a species grows, the leaf area index of the species as it matures, and the total number of trees to be planted need to be determined to truly understand the behavior and potential benefits of different planting schemes; had the mature leaf area been used as the sole indicator of the stormwater attenuating potential for each species, the A. saccharinum would have been the selected species. Also, had attenuation and evaporation per unit of tree been the only measurement reported, the P. × acerifolia stand would have been deemed the best performing tree, attenuating and evaporating 8.1 m³/tree. While the actual values presented herein may be uncertain because of a lack of locally-derived tree growth models, the approach described warrants further investigation.     

Optimizing shoot regeneration and transient expression factors for Agrobacterium tumefaciens transformation of sour cherry (Prunus cerasus L.) cultivar Montmorency

An efficient, adventitious shoot regeneration protocol was devised, and transient expression studies were carried out to enable Agrobacterium-mediated stable transformation of sour cherry (Prunus cerasus L.) cultivar Montmorency. Leaves, from in vitro stock cultures, with the petiole removed and four partial cuts made transversely and equidistant through the midrib area were found to be the optimum explant type. A 24 h liquid TDZ-pretreatment (0.05, 0.10 or 0.25 mg/l) in MS medium [Murashige, T., Skoog, F., 1962. A revised medium for rapid growth and bioassays with tobacco tissue cultures. Plant Physiol. 15, 473–497.] of leaf explants stimulated shoot formation upon subsequent culture on QL medium [Quoirin, M., Lepoivre, P., 1977. Improved media for in vitro culture of Prunus sp. Acta Hort. 78, 437–442.] supplemented with 3.0 mg/l BAP and 0.5 mg/l NAA. A frequency of 38.9–54.4% of the explants produced at least one shoot with the maximum mean number of shoots, 4.5 per explant with the 0.10 mg/l TDZ pretreatment. The shoot regeneration scheme was subsequently linked with inoculation with Agrobacterium tumefaciens strains EHA105, GV3101 or LBA4404, each harboring the binary plasmid pBISN1. PBISN1 contains an intron interrupted ß-glucuronidase (GUS) gene (gusA) under control of the chimeric super promoter (Aocs)₃AmasPmas. Blue stained leaf cells were observed after co-cultivation with all three strains. Co-cultivation for 4 days with 19.6 mg/l acetosyringone (AS) and assay by GUS indicated over 90% of the leaf explants were infected with an average 7.5–8.8 blue foci per explant. No differences were observed in regard to A. tumefaciens strain used.     

Temperature effects on corm dormancy and growth of Zephyra elegans D.Don

Experiments were performed with the Chilean geophyte Zephyra elegans, a potential cut flower, to evaluate the effect of corm weight and storage temperature on corm dormancy, and to determine the effect of day and night growing temperatures on its growth and flowering. Z. elegans has a deciduous and synanthous growth habit and the corm is replaced annually. Dormant corms were stored at different constant temperatures or temperature combinations from 20 to 40 °C. Corms released from their dormancy were grown at 15/10, 20/15, or 25/20 °C day/night temperatures. Corms of various weights were planted at the same date after being stored dry at 25 °C for 22 weeks. They all emerged 19–38 days after planting, showing that dormancy release was not affected by corm weight. A 20-week corm storage treatment at a constant 25 °C resulted in the most rapid corm sprouting. Sprouting percentage was reduced at higher or lower storage temperatures. Temperature also affected plant growth. When plants were grown at 15/10 or 20/15 °C they emerged and flowered more rapidly than when they were grown at 25/20 °C. The latter growing temperature also resulted in poor flower quality.     

Analysis of greenhouse gas emissions from ornamental plant production: A nursery level approach

The focus of the work is to define a methodology to evaluate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for the nursery industry, comparing two different plant production systems (field- and container-grown plants) and assessing different scenarios for the reduction of the emissions. The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology, with the “from cradle to gate” approach, was used. The analysis revealed that the total emission of CO₂eq is higher in container cultivations than in field cultivations, with emissions ranging between 26.1 and 34.7 Mg ha^?1 year^?1 for the former, and between 2.3 and 6.6 Mg ha^?1 year^?1 for the latter; greenhouse horticultural crops emit 2.2–10.3 Mg ha^?1 year^?1 of CO₂eq and arable crop emissions were measured as 6.2 Mg ha^?1 year^?1 of CO₂eq.Different scenarios for the reduction of GHG emission were tested and a 15.5% reduction of GHG emission was achieved. Two of the scenarios applied – 50% recycled water usage (scenario 1) and 10% of green waste recovery for substrates (scenario 3) – are already in use in nursery farms.     

An encapsulation–dehydration protocol for cryopreservation of the azalea cultivar ‘Nordlicht’ (Rhododendron simsii Planch.)

Azalea is important for Flanders (Belgium). An in vivo breeding collection, with more than 600 accessions, is available at the Department of Plant Genetics and Breeding (CLO, Melle, Belgium). The aim of our research is to develop a cryopreservation protocol for this collection, one of the most important in the world. With ‘Nordlicht’ as test cultivar, we developed an encapsulation–dehydration protocol. Optimal survival was observed after preculturing shoot tips in liquid culture medium supplemented with 0.3 + 0.45 + 0.6 M sucrose (24 h in each solution). After preculture, shoot tips were encapsulated in alginate beads (1.62 M glycerol + 0.32 M sucrose) and dehydrated to a low WC (38.6%) prior to freezing (direct immersion in LN). Detoxification in 1 M sucrose (2 h) appeared to be essential to achieve acceptable regrowth after cryopreservation. After thawing approximately 40% of the cryopreserved shoot tips survived.     

Ozone forming potential of tropical plant species of the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra state of India

Volatile organic compounds (VOC) are emitted by many plants. In this study, sixty common plant species of the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra, India were examined for VOC (isoprene and monoterpene) emissions. Plant species VOC emission rates ranged from undetectable to 75.2 μg g^?1 h^?1. Dalbergia sissoo exhibited a maximum VOC emission rate of 75.2 μg g^?1 h^?1. Ozone forming potentials (OFP) of the sixty plant species were also estimated using the method of Benjamin and Winer (1998). Maximum ozone forming potential of 77 g O₃ (tree)^?1 d^?1 was observed in the case of Mangifera indica. Out of 60 species, 26 species (43.3%) had low OFP (less than 1 g O₃ (tree)^?1 d^?1), 18 species (30%) had medium OFP (less than 1–10 g O₃ (tree)^?1 d^?1) and 16 species (26.7%) had high OFP (more than 10 g O₃ (tree)^?1 d^?1).     

High carbon losses from established growing sites delay the carbon sequestration benefits of street tree plantings – A case study in Helsinki,Finland

We assessed the net carbon (C) sequestration dynamics of street tree plantings based on 10 years of measurements at two case study sites each with different tree species in Helsinki, Finland. We assessed C loss from tree soils and tree C accumulation, tested the applicability of pre-existing growth and biomass equations against observations, and estimated the time point for the beginning of net C sequestration for the studied street tree plantings. The tree woody biomass C accumulation in the first 10 years after planting was 18–32 kg per tree. At the same time the C loss from the growth media was at least 170 kg per growth media volume (25 m³) per tree. If this soil C loss was accounted for, the net C sequestration would begin, at best, approximately 30 years after planting. Biomass equations developed for traditional forests predicted more stem biomass and less leaf and branch biomass than measured for the species examined, but total aboveground biomass was generally well predicted.     

Performance of geophytes on extensive green roofs in the United Kingdom

Dwarf geophytes have great potential for use on extensive green roofs because they often come from arid areas and can survive dry and hot summer in a dormant state. However, there has been little research regarding geophytes on green roofs. This experiment was conducted to study the performance of 26 species of geophytes on a green roof during 2005–2006 in Sheffield, UK. The geophytes were grown at two substrate depths (5 cm and 10 cm) of substrate on a green roof without irrigation. To investigate the susceptibility of geophytes to competition from a covering of permanent plants, the geophytes were grown with or without a surface vegetation layer of Sedum album. Overall, the growth, survival rate, regeneration and flowering of geophytes were more successful at a substrate depth of 10 cm than of 5 cm, probably because of improved moisture retention, fewer temperature fluctuations and the protection from digging by animals. The flowering period was limited to spring, therefore, it is recommended to combine with other plant species such as covering plants. Geophyte species did not compete much with S. album and Sedum cover had no significant effects on the growth, survival rate, regeneration and flowering of geophytes in most species. Iris bucharica, Muscari azureum, Tulipa clusiana var. chrysantha, Tulipa humilis, Tulipa tarda and Tulipa turkestanica had good performance at the substrate depth of 5 cm. In addition, Narcissus cyclamineus ‘February gold’ and Tulipa urumiensis exhibited a successful performance at the substrate depth of 10 cm.     

Day and night temperatures,daily light integral,and CO2 enrichment affect growth and flower development of Campanula carpatica ‘Blue Clips’

Campanula carpatica Jacq. ‘Blue Clips’ plants were grown in a greenhouse under nine combinations of day and night temperatures created by moving plants every 12 h among three day/night temperatures (15, 20, and 25°C). At each temperature, there were three daily light integrals (DLI; 4.2, 10.8, and 15.8 mol m⁻² per day, averaged over the experimental period) created with varying supplemental light, and ambient (≈400 μmol mol⁻¹) and enriched (≈600 μmol mol⁻¹) CO₂ concentrations. Time to flower was closely related to average daily temperature (ADT), and was not significantly affected by the day or night temperatures delivered to achieve a specific ADT. Time to flower was not largely affected by DLI or CO₂ enrichment. As plant ADT increased between 15 and 25°C, flower diameter decreased about 1 mm per degree and was not related to the difference between day and night temperatures (DIF). Flower diameter was smallest and least sensitive to changes in temperature at lower DLI and at ambient CO₂ levels. There were 10 less flower buds and 0.3 g less dry mass per plant at first flower for every 1° increase in plant ADT at high and medium DLIs. Flower bud number and dry mass were relatively low and less sensitive to changes in ADT at low DLI, and increased slightly with CO₂ enrichment at medium and high but not at low DLI. Plant height was not related to ADT, but increased linearly as DIF increased from −6 to 12°C at all DLIs, but the response was stronger under low DLI than high and medium DLIs. Flower bud number and dry mass were correlated closely with the ratio of DLI to daily thermal time (base temperature of 0°C). Flower bud number and dry mass were highest when C. carpatica plants were grown at 15°C with a DLI of 10–15 mol m⁻² per day.     

Long-term remediation of compacted urban soils by physical fracturing and incorporation of compost

On the Cornell University campus a long-term study has measured the impacts of a soil remediation strategy on plant growth and soil quality using the Cornell Soil Health Test. The Scoop & Dump (S&D) process of soil remediation consists of physically fracturing compacted urban soils, incorporating large quantities (33% by volume) of compost with the use of a backhoe, and annually top dressing with mulch. This study was designed to investigate the impact of this remediation technique for the amelioration of compaction and degradation of soils in the urbanized environment.The study finds that over a 12-year period remediated soils exhibit improved (reduced) bulk density (R² = 0.50) (P < .0001) (n = 30), increased active carbon (R² = 0.61) (P < .0001) (n = 30) and increased potentially mineralizable nitrogen (R² = 0.61) (P < .0001) (n = 30). When S&D soils were compared to unamended (Unam) soils, improvements were found in aggregate stability (S&D = 72.41%, Unam = 34.90%, P < .0001, n = 30), available water holding capacity (S&D = 0.22%, Unam = 0.15%, P < .0001, n = 30), total organic matter (S&D = 8.43%, Unam = 3.23%, P < .0001, n = 30), potentially mineralizable nitrogen (S&D = 27.53 mg/kg, Unam = 3.11 mg/kg, P = 0.0005, n = 30), active carbon (S&D = 1022.47 mg/kg, Unam = 361.60 mg/kg, P < .0001, n = 30), and reduction in bulk density (S&D = 0.89 g/cm³, Unam = 1.47 g/cm³, P < .0001, n = 30). Application of the S&D process provides an alternative to using specified soils and has potential for improving long term soil quality using locally sourced materials and simple methods.     

Solar radiation intensity influences extensive green roof plant communities

Two studies were conducted on a third-story rooftop to quantify the effect of solar radiation (full sun versus full shade) on several US native and non-native species for potential use on extensive green roofs. In the first study, plugs of six native and three non-native species were planted in May 2005 on substrates of two different depths (8.0 and 12.0 cm) both in sun and shade. Absolute cover (AC) was recorded using a point-frame transect during the growing season beginning in June 2005 and every 2 weeks thereafter for a period of 4 years. By week 174 (23 September 2008), most species exhibited different AC within a depth between sun and shade. However, when all species were combined, overall AC did not differ between sun and shade within a depth. This indicated that while species make-up was changing among solar radiation levels, that overall coverage was not significantly different between sun and shade. For all substrate depths and solar levels, the most abundant species were Sedum acre, Allium cernuum, Sedum album ‘Coral Carpet’, and Talinum calycinum. Less abundant species included Talinum parviflorum, Carex flacca, Sedum stenopetalum, and Sedum divergens, which all exhibited 0 or near 0 AC regardless of depth or solar radiation levels. With the exception of T. calycinum, native species were less abundant than non-native species.In the second study, six common extensive green roof species of Sedum established from seed in May 2005 on a 10.0 cm (3.9 in) substrate depth were compared in both sun and shade over four growing seasons. AC was evaluated as in the previous study. Solar radiation did not affect AC, but overall species composition differed between sun and shade levels. The most abundant species in full sun were S. acre (0.57 AC) and S. album ‘Coral Carpet’ (0.51 AC). Sedum kamtschaticum (0.57 AC) and Sedum spurium ‘Coccineum’ (0.35 AC) performed the best in the shade. For both solar levels, the least abundant species at week 174 were Sedum pulchellum (0.0 AC) and S. album ‘Coral Carpet’ (0.1 AC).     

Nutrient solution effects on the development and yield of Anthurium andreanum Lind. in tropical soilless conditions

The fertilization of anthurium grown in soilless culture in tropical countries is often empirically based. The methods used generally lead the grower to overestimate plant needs and to apply excessive quantities of nutrients. Mineral elements, and thus money, are wasted and there is a risk of pollution of groundwater and watercourses. In order to improve our knowledge of plant requirements, we measured, over 2 1/2 years, the growth and yield of anthurium plants receiving nutrient solutions with different total nitrogen, potassium and calcium concentrations and different NH₄⁺/NO₃⁻ ratios. Mineral analyses of plant parts, of nutrient, leachate and substrate solutions and of the solid substrate were carried out throughout plant development. Plants receiving 4.5 mmol N/l and 1.6 mmol K/l in the nutrient solution had significantly slower growth and lower yield compared to those receiving 8.9 mmol N/l and 3.2 mmol K/l. For these latter N and K concentrations, a N–NH₄⁺/N–NO₃⁻ ratio of 0.37 and a calcium concentration of 1.15 mmol/l gave better plant growth, development and yield than a ratio of 0.24 and a calcium concentration of 2.25 mmol/l. Applying the nutrient solution containing 8.9 mmol N/l and 3.2 mmol K/l with a N–NH₄⁺/N–NO₃⁻ ratio of 0.37 resulted in a shorter vegetative period and more and larger flower production. The calculated mineral balances of the crop showed that more than 60% of the supplied nutrients were lost in the leachate. Suitable nutrient solutions are proposed in order to match plant absorption at different crop growth stages. The volume of nutrient solution supplied can be reduced to limit the amount of leachate, but as water demand is high, there must be at least 30% of leaching to avoid salt accumulation in the substrate. Adjusting the nutrient solution volume and composition to match plant requirements is the first step for flower yield improvement, fertilizer efficiency and reduction of pollution.