Aeration spaces of the substrate on the development and production of potted gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii)

• Grant number: 09/14037-8
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: February 01, 2010
• End date: February 28, 2011
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Soil Science
• Principal Investigator: Dirceu Maximino Fernandes
• Grantee: Dirceu Maximino Fernandes
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Agronômicas (FCA). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The present study will be developed with the aim of evaluating the effect of different aeration spaces of the substrates on the development and production of Gerbera jamesonii cultivars grown in pots. The experiment will be conducted in a greenhouse at the Department of Natural Resources/Soil Science, College of Agronomical Sciences-FCA, São Paulo State University-UNESP, in the municipality of Botucatu, São Paulo State, Brazil. Experimental design will be in randomized blocks, 5 x 2 (5 substrates and 2 cultivars) factorial arrangement, with 4 blocks and 12 plants per plot. The experiment will use Pinus skin as substrate, separated into different granulometries. Substrates will be physically characterized for volume density, water retention curve and granulometry, and chemically for electrical conductivity, pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC) and macronutrient and micronutrient. Cultivars belonging to the series "Dark eyes" of Sakata® Company will be used. During the culture development, the nitrate and potassium levels of the substrate solution, green color intensity, leaf area, leaf number, dry phytomass, and macro- and micronutrient content will be fortnightly evaluated. At the beginning of the experiment, the end of vegetative period and commercialization point the macronutrients and micronutrients content will be evaluated. At the commercialization point, stem height, stem diameter, capitulum diameter, inflorescence number and leaf number will be evaluated, and qualitative grades will be attributed. (AU)