Abstract
The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of calcium on growth and development of silver vase bromeliad (Aechmea fasciata). Plants were fertilized three times a week with nutrient solutions formulated with HA solution (Hoagland and Arnon, 1950) modified with 0.25, 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10.0 or 12.5 mM Ca applied into the tank. After 90 days of experimentation, biometric and biomass measurements of root and shoot systems, and chemical analysis of leaves were assessed. The results showed that the concentration of 12.5 mM Ca in nutrient solution is recommended for silver vase bromeliad fertilization.
Highlights
The importance of bromeliads as ornamental plants has increased in recent decades (Anacleto and Negrelle, 2009)
Calcium is an important plant nutrient that affects the formation of cell membrane and plasma membrane and plays a fundamental role in plant growth, biomass production and function (Madani et al, 2015), which might explain the increase on mass production of silver vase bromeliad
In vitro cultivated bromeliads of Vriesea genus had significantly increase in fresh and dry masses as the calcium in solutions augmented; as Ca facilitated the absorption of other nutrients such N, K, Zn, Mn, and B resulting on better nutritional status enhancing plant growth (Aranda-Perez et al, 2009)
Summary
The importance of bromeliads as ornamental plants has increased in recent decades (Anacleto and Negrelle, 2009). Cultivated initially in botanical gardens, bromeliads have become very popular into worldwide as ornamental due to the beautiful shapes and colors of leaves and inflorescences, low maintenance and its use as vase plant or for landscape (Negrelle and Anacleto, 2012). Calcium is important on inflorescence differentiation and fruits development of bromeliads such as pineapple (Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.) and supports transpiration without loss of turgescence; while excessive levels of the element reduce potassium in leaves, initiate chlorosis and produce smaller plants (Paula et al, 1998). Pineapple plants demands high quantities of Ca; except in very poor and sandy soils deficiency rarely occurs (Py et al, 1987) and the most important effect of Ca is on fruit quality (Souza and Reinhard, 2007).
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