Physical characterization and formulation of substrates for some ornamental plants growth

Author(s)

Elisabete Domingues Salvador

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: Piracicaba.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALA/BC)
• Defense date: 2000-12-06
• Advisor: Keigo Minami

Abstract

Experiments on gloxinia (Sinningia speciosa Lood. Hiern.), lisianthus (Eustoma grandiflorum) and African violet (Saintpaulia ionantha) cultures were carried out with the objective of formulating suitable substrates to these cultivation. The physical characteristics and mixtures of materials were evaluated, noticing that gloxinia developed well in the following conditions: 0.5 g.cm-3 density, 77.60% total porosity, 26.93% air space, 18.75% available water and 16.36% easily available water, and the vermiculite : earthworm humus : perlite substrate was the most suitable for gloxinia cultivation. Lisianthus developed well in the following conditions: 0.75 and 0.95 g.cm-3 densities, 72.60 to 75.10% total porosity, 12.81 to 19.53% air space, 19.79 to 26.03% available water, 17,41 a 23,71% easily available water, and the cultivated peat : vermiculite; eucalyptus bark : conventional peat : sand substrates and control, presented the best results. African violet developed well in the following conditions: 0.75 g.cm-3, 75.10% total porosity, 19.53% air space, 26.03% available water and 23.71% easily available water, and the substrates conventional peat : eucalyptus bark: sand, earthworm humus: vermiculite: sand, pine bark: earthworm humus, cultivated peat : vermiculite, commercial substrates ("Eucatex", made from peat, and "Vida Verde - substrate for African violet"), showed to be adequate for African violet cultivation. (AU)