Fertirrigation systems and substrates in soilless Gerbera cultivation
2000
Lenzi, A. (Florence Univ. (Italy). Dipartimento di Scienze Agronomiche e Gestione del Territorio Agroforestale) | Oggiano, N. | Maletta, M. (Istituto Sperimentale per la Floricoltura, Sanremo, Imperia (Italy)) | Rinaldi, M. (Istituto Agronomico Mediterraneo, Valenzano, Bari (Italy))
In a closed soilless cultivation of Gerbera, grown in pots, two irrigation systems (drippers and subirrigation) and three substrates (mixtures fine perlite/coarse perlite, peat/coarse perlite, vermiculite/coarse perlite, 2:1, v/v) were tested. Recirculated solution was never changed but reintegrated adding fresh solution with constant composition. Analysis of recirculated solution showed in both irrigation systems some changes in its composition. Nevertheless, these changes were lower in subirrigation than in dripping irrigation and imputable to different reasons: high evaporation in the first case and selective absorption by the roots in the second one. Regarding flowers and dry matter production, no differences between irrigation systems were recorded; on the contrary the effect of substrates was statistically significant and an interaction irrigation system x substrates was observed. In fact substrates showed a different behaviour according to the irrigation system used. The mixture vermiculite/perlite gave the best result on the average; in subirrigation the highest production was obtained with the mixture perlite/perlite and in dripping irrigation with the mixture peat/perlite. These results are probably due to different physical characteristics of substrates tested and particularly their water and air capacity
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