ISHS Acta Horticulturae 1077: I International Symposium on Ornamentals in Africa
EVALUATION OF A COCOPEAT-BASED SUBSTRATE SYSTEM FOR ROSE PRODUCTION IN NAIVASHA, KENYA |
| Authors: | N.C. Ketter, J.M. Wesonga, K. Wariara, A. Elings, F. Hoogerwerf |
| Keywords: | water re-use, reverse osmosis, hydroponics |
| DOI: | 10.17660/ActaHortic.2015.1077.11 |
| Abstract:
The current production system of roses in Kenya involves mostly the use of soil and open drip irrigation, which is inefficient as water and nutrients are lost through drainage. A recycling system can improve efficiency, as drainage water containing nutrients is re-used. A study was carried out from January to June 2013, at van den Berg Roses (a commercial rose farm) in Naivasha, Kenya, to evaluate a cocopeat-based system for rose production in comparison with a conventional soil-based production system. Net water use, stem production, stem length and economic benefits were assessed. Net water use in the cocopeat system and soil systems were 411 and 1098 L m-2, respectively. The difference of 687 L m-2 equals 65% water saving as a result of using the cocopeat system. The cumulative number of harvested stems m-2 in the cocopeat system was 24% higher than in the soil system. Rose stems harvested from the cocopeat system were on average longer, with 64% of the stems falling in the 60 and 70 cm categories, while this was 46% for the stems harvested from the soil system. Average stem weights were 39.2 and 33.6 g in the cocopeat and soil system, respectively. The results show that a cocopeat system with re-use of drain water in a soil system results in water saving, higher yield and better rose flower quality. A total of 764 L m-2 containing 1482 g m-2 fertilizer was collected from cocopeat and used in soil system over the period. The fertilizer in the drain solution was valued at € 0.93 m-2. Overall turnover from cocopeat was greater than soil system by € 3.15 m-2. The higher amount of marketable weight can be attributed to the greater number of stems that were obtained from the cocopeat compared to the soil. | |
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