Abstract
Gerbera can be grown as a cut flower or in pots. However, there is little information on nutrition and fertilization, especially related to phosphorus and the use of organic matter in pots. This study aimed to evaluate the growth and production of potted gerbera under doses of phosphorus and the use of cattle manure. The experiment was carried out in pots, under greenhouse conditions. A randomized block experimental design was used in a 5 x 2 factorial scheme with 4 replications, totaling 40 experimental units. The treatments consisted of 5 P rates: 0, 20, 40, 60 and 80 mg dm-3 P, as triple superphosphate powder and use, or not, of cattle manure. Phosphate fertilization and cattle manure in soil with low P contents did not influence the growth and production of potted gerbera. Phosphorus rates improve the nutritional status of potted gerbera, but do not contribute to the commercial quality of the plants. The use of cattle manure increases the availability of phosphorus in the soil for potted gerbera cultivation without, however, contributing to commercial quality. Potted gerbera is poorly responsive to phosphorus addition, supplied by both mineral and organic fertilizers.
Highlights
Gerbera (Gerbera jamesoni) is commercially cultivated as a cut flower or in pots, and has high acceptance in the market of flowers and ornamental plants in Brazil, for presenting flowers with great diversity of colors, good durability and resistance to transportation (MOTA et al, 2014; LUDWIG et al, 2015; SANTOS et al, 2017)
Both mineral and organic, favors the production and quality of flowers and, with the expansion of the commercial production of flowers and ornamental plants in Brazil, there is a need for more studies on fertilization for this group of plants (LUDWIG et al, 2008; MOTA et al, 2014; SANTOS et al, 2015; SANTOS et al, 2017)
In Brazil, it is common for farmers to manage fertilization empirically, supplying large amounts of nutrients, which are often not required by plants, without following agronomic criteria (LUDWIG et al, 2010; GUERRERO et al, 2013)
Summary
Gerbera (Gerbera jamesoni) is commercially cultivated as a cut flower or in pots, and has high acceptance in the market of flowers and ornamental plants in Brazil, for presenting flowers with great diversity of colors, good durability and resistance to transportation (MOTA et al, 2014; LUDWIG et al, 2015; SANTOS et al, 2017). In the cultivation of potted gerbera, it is important to look for a high number of flower stems; inflorescences with large diameter; small size; and adequate leaf branching, to form a balanced set between the vegetative and reproductive part (LUDWIG et al, 2010) An adequate fertilization, both mineral and organic, favors the production and quality of flowers and, with the expansion of the commercial production of flowers and ornamental plants in Brazil, there is a need for more studies on fertilization for this group of plants (LUDWIG et al, 2008; MOTA et al, 2014; SANTOS et al, 2015; SANTOS et al, 2017).
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