Effects of Irrigation Frequency on Growth Responses of Indoor Foliage Plants

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate growth characteristics of plants in accordance with irrigation period and to find the optimum irrigation conditions for plants that help to improve the indoor environment. Four foliage plants used in this study included Chlorophytum comosum, Dieffenbachia amoena ‘Marianne’, Epipremnum aureum, and Spathiphyllum spp.. The plants cultivated in three different irrigation frequency: 2 times/week; 1 time/week; and 1 time/2 weeks. As a result, average soil moisture content of four foliage plants for one month measurement period, 2 times/week, 1 time/week, and 1 time/2 weeks were maintained at 47.3±3.0%, 17.3±2.0%, and 10±1.5%, respectively. All four kinds of plants showed a good visible growth in 1 time/week irrigation. Chlorophytum comosum was slowly begin to die in 1 time/2 weeks irrigation and it was completely dead at the end of the experiment. So it is considered that circumspection is needed for drying. Dieffenbachia amoena ‘Marianne’ was dead by each one pot in 2 times/week and 1 time/2 weeks. So it seemed to be a proper watering plants. Epipremnum aureum, and Spathiphyllum spp. showed good growth characteristics regardless of irrigation frequency, it showed good tolerance of the irrigation. In particular, Epipremnum aureum was no significant difference in SPAD value, chlorophyll fluorescence, and leaf water potential according to irrigation frequency, so it was the best plants to irrigation water management. Keywords: Chlorophytum comosum , Dieffenbachia amoena ‘Marianne’, Epipremnum aureum , Spathiphyllum spp., Indoor plant , Soil water content