Comparison of different soilless media for growing gerbera under alkalinity stress condition |
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| Authors: | Hamid R. Roosta Meysam Manzari Tavakkoli Mohsen Hamidpour |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Horticultural Sciences, Vali-e-Asr University of Rafsanjan, Rafsanjan, Iranroosta_h@yahoo.com;3. Department of Horticultural Sciences, Vali-e-Asr University of Rafsanjan, Rafsanjan, Iran;4. Departent of Soil Sciences, Vali-e-Asr University of Rafsanjan, Rafsanjan, Iran |
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| Abstract: | A factorial experiment was developed with two factors of the growing medium (v/v): 100% coconut fiber (CF), 75% vermicompost+25% perlite (VP), 25% zeolite+75% perlite (ZP), 75% peat+25% perlite (PP), 75% coco chip+25% perlite (CCP), 75% coconut fiber+25% perlite (CFP) and 100% perlite (P); and sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) (0, 20 and 40 mM) involving the growth of gerbera cv. Dafne. Compared with CF substrate, NaHCO3 in the nutrient solution caused significant decrease in vegetative and reproductive traits and nutrient concentration [especially iron, phosphorus, and magnesium (Fe, P and Mg)] in the rest of the media. The improved crop performance of plants grown onto CF substrate was attributed to their strong capacity to accumulate Fe in the aerial part under alkaline conditions and to maintain a better plant nutritional status (higher P and Mg). It is concluded that the use of CF substrate could provide a useful tool to improve alkalinity tolerance of gerbera plants under NaHCO3 stress. |
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| Keywords: | Alkalinity Gerbera jamesonii nutrient elements plant nutrition substrate |
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