Abstract
In this study an extract of Aschophyllum nodosum was used to improve growth and flowering in plants of Rebutia heliosa and Sulcorebutia canigueralli. The two experimental groups in cultivation were: i) group without the use of Ascophyllum nodosum (CTRL), irrigated with water and fertilized every two weeks; ii) group treated with 10% Ascophyllum nodosum (AS) powder mixed with the substrate, irrigated with water and fertilized every two weeks. All plants treated with Ascophyllum nodosum showed a significant increase in the agronomic characteristics analysed. The cacti (Rebutia heliosa and Sulcorebutia canigueralli) grown in the algae treated substrate showed a significant increase in plant height, suckers number, vegetative and roots weight, plant circumference, flowers number and flower time and seed germination. Effects certainly due to an improvement in the nutritional status of the plants induced by an increase in nutrient assimilation, which manifests itself in increased stress tolerance. Positive effects can be found especially on plant species that have difficulty in germinating, rooting and flowering or as in this experiment on plants that are slow to grow or have difficulty in being grown in greenhouses and in climatic conditions different from those in which they originated.
Highlights
The genus Rebutia was described by K
Rebutia has rounded areoles at the top of the nipple, with triangular scales in the flower tube and unshakable fruits. It is divided into three sub-genres: Aylostera, spherical stem, with stamens and pistils welded to the base of the receptacle; Rebutia, spherical stem, stamens and pistils not welded to the receptacle and Mediolobivia, cylindrical stem, with stamens and pistils welded to the receptacle
Group without the use of Ascophyllum nodosum (CTRL), irrigated with water and fertilized every two weeks; group treated with 10% Ascophyllum nodosum (AS) powder mixed with the substrate, irrigated with water and fertilized every two weeks; For the algae product, Ecoalga® was used added to the growing substrate instead of spraying it on the vegetative part
Summary
The genus Rebutia was described by K. Schumann in 1897-98 reduced Rebutia, in his major monograph, to a subgenus of Echinocactus It currently includes Sulcorebutia and Weingartia [1]. Rebutia has rounded areoles at the top of the nipple, with triangular scales in the flower tube and unshakable fruits. Sulcorebutia has elongated areoles planted in the nipples, with the flower tube scales rounded in the shape of a heart and dehiscent fruits. It has a basal flowering, with only one flower per areola and unbranched funiculus. The distribution goes from the east of the Andes, in little elevated zones close to the mountains of Bolivia, up to north-west of Argentina, between the 1000 and the 4000 metres of altitude; such an environment has a strong temperature range during the day, with strong exposure to the ultra-violet rays [2]
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