ISHS Acta Horticulturae 747: VIII International Symposium on Protected Cultivation in Mild Winter Climates: Advances in Soil and Soilless Cultivation under Protected Environment
PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF AEROPONIC CULTIVATION OF ANTHURIUM ANDREANUM FOR CUT FLOWER PRODUCTION |
| Authors: | G. Fascella, G.V. Zizzo |
| Keywords: | Araceae, growing systems, plant management, yield parameters |
| Abstract:
In order to solve many problems of potted Anthuriums (plant fall over, crooked stems), a trial of aeroponic and soilless cultivation of A. andreanum was carried out in a climatic conditioned greenhouse with the aim to evaluate the productive and qualitative differences of the two growing systems. Plants of the cv. ‘Tropical’ were grown both in pots with expanded clay and into holes on metallic tables with suspended roots constantly sprayed by rain sprinklers. Roots of 50% of plants in each system were cut to monitor both the development of hypogeal part and the effect of pruning on growth and production. Plants in the two growing systems gave a similar amount of flower stalks (25.0 in 11 months) while aeroponic culture produced the longest ones, as well as the highest number of leaves (29.7 vs. 17.9 per plant), with the maximum leaf size and petiole length. Soilless Anthuriums provided flowers with the widest spathe. Plants with cut roots showed lower values for all considered parameters than those with whole roots but evidenced a higher rhythm of root elongation during the experiment. | |
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