ROOT-ZONE TEMPERATURE EFFECTS ON PEAT-BAG-CULTURED GERBERAS

Abstract

Three cultivars of Gerbera jamesonii H. Bolus ex Hook. f. planted in peat bags were grown in greenhouses at 16 °C/12.5 °C/12.5 °C or 16 °C/12.5 °C/22 °C day/night/root-zone temperatures. The yield and stem length of the three gerbera cultivars were substantially enhanced by root-zone heating (16 °C/12.5 °C/22 °C). Placing peat bags on heated soil was effective in maintaining the root-zone temperature for Gerbera production.Key words: Gerbera jamesonii, greenhouse production