Influence of temperature in the root area on the growth and quality of lisianthus (Eusoma exatatum ssp. russellianum) grown in soilless culture | Influence de la température au niveau des racines sur la croissance et la qualité du lisianthus cultivé sur substrat
2011
Sigg, P. | Gilli, C., Station de recherche Agroscope Changins-Waedenswil ACW, Conthey (Switzerland). Centre de Conthey
The aim of the present study was to assess the influence of root area heating on stem quality for a lisianthus (Eustoma exaltatum ssp. russellianum) winter crop. Plants were soilless cultivated in greenhouse with low set-point temperature (13/15-17 °C, night/day ? aeration temperature). Three treatments were compared in the first trial between December 2008 and June 2009: no root area heating, 17 °C and 22 °C in the root area throughout the duration of the crop. Three treatments were tested in the 2009-2010 trial: no root area heating, 22 °C heating throughout the duration of the crop and 22 °C until stage 7-8 pairs of leaves. For both trials, results showed that heating the root area has a positive effect on leaves number, stem length and diameter during the early stages of the culture. At the end of the culture, stem mortality was clearly lower and stem length was significantly higher with the heating treatments. However, no difference was measured concerning the number of flower buds per stem. A simplified balance sheet of costs and financial returns of culture showed that the heating treatments allowed an added value of 21.50 CHF/m2 in the 2009-2010 trial. In 2009-2010, the treatment heated until 7-8 pairs of leaves allowed an added value of 26.40 CHF/m2 and 9.40 CHF/m2 respectively compared to not heated treatment and to heating throughout the duration of the culture. In conclusion, in order to improve the profitability of a winter lisianthus culture with a low set-point temperature, heating the root area at 22 °C until the stage 7-8 pairs of leaves is recommended.
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