Effects of Nitrogen Fertilization and Water Replacement Level on the Production of Gladiolus Corms in a Protected Environment

Marcio Koetz,Tonny Jose Araujo Da Silva,Rebeca De Andrade Porto,Edna Maria Bomfim-Silva,Analy Castilho Polyzel

doi:10.5539/jas.v11n9p234

Marcio Koetz, Tonny Jose Araujo Da Silva + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.5539/jas.v11n9p234

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Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of water replacement levels (50, 75, 100, 125 and 150%; for the 100% level, the water replacement volume was at field capacity) and nitrogen doses (0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 mg dm-3) on the production of gladiolus (Gladiolus grandiflorus L.) corms, White Friendship variety. The project was developed in a protected environment using a randomized complete block design witha 5x5 factorial scheme (water replacement levels &times; nitrogen doses). The evaluated variables werecorm diameter and weight and cormel number and weight. The data were assed using analysis of variance F-test at 5% probability and a regression analysis using the Sisvar statistical program. There was no nitrogen fertilization effect on the analyzed variables. The water replacement levels had a significant effect. For corm weight, the water replacement level that led to the highest weight was 128.96%. The weight and number of cormels were fit using an increasing linear regression model. According to Brazilian commercial corm standards, quality corms with diameters that suggest good potential for floral stem production were observed starting at the 50% water replacement level.

Highlights

The commercial focus of gladiolus cultivation is both the production of cut flowers and the production of corms
Sasso (1962) maintained the soil moisture at ranges between 20 and 60, 50 and 90, and 80 and 100% of field capacity, and they found that increased soil moisture content increased corm weight
Lower water replacement levels are recommended to form corms that provide better-quality flowers, but in terms of cormel production, the water replacement levels that led to heavier cormels were closer to the water replacement levels used for producing floral stems (Porto et al, 2014)

Summary

Introduction

The commercial focus of gladiolus cultivation is both the production of cut flowers and the production of corms. From 2000 to 2008, Brazilian exports of rhizomes and corms corresponded to 46.31% of flower and ornamental plant exports, for a total of $13.28 million USD (Junqueira & Peetz, 2011). In Brazil, gladiolus corms are the most frequently exported parts of the plant, and the bulbous plant market generated a total export value of $13-14 million USD in 2010 (Tombolato et al, 2010). The critical moisture content of the soil that reduces production differs according to the developmental stage and the purpose of the crop, i.e., for flower or corm production (Halevy, 1962)

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