Yield and quality of inflorescences of 'Golden Torch' heliconia in different shaded environments

Rafaela R De Souza,Leonardo P Da S Brito,Everaldo M Da Silva,Márkilla Z Beckmann-Cavalcante,Alcilane A Silva,Adriano O Silva

doi:10.1590/1807-1929/agriambi.v20n2p128-132

Abstract

ABSTRACT Light is one of the factors that most affect crop growth and yield. However, the control of light intensity is difficult, because, under certain environmental conditions, light energy may exceed or limit the capacity of plants to use it. In this sense, the productive behavior of plant species in shaded environments needs to be known. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different shaded environments with black shade nets [0 (full sun), 35 and 50%, and overlap 35 + 50% shading nets] on flowering, yield and quality of inflorescences of Heliconia psittacorum (cv. 'Golden Torch'). The shaded environments caused a reduction in the number of days for inflorescence emergence and in the cycle of H. psittacorum (cv. 'Golden Torch'). The yield and quality of inflorescences of plants grown under full-sun conditions (0% shading) were impaired. The results indicate that, for a better management of the crop environment, aiming yield and quality of inflorescences of H. psittacorum (cv. 'Golden Torch'), the use of black shade nets with 50% shading is recommended.

Highlights

Floriculture is one of the most important economic activities for the agribusiness in Brazil
Tropical plants appear as an excellent opportunity for Brazil to expand its agricultural frontiers and increase its capacity to generate employment and income in rural areas (Unemoto et al, 2012; Albuquerque et al, 2014)
Under certain environmental conditions, the absorbed light energy can be higher or lower than plant capacity to use it, creating an imbalance caused by photoinhibition or light deficiency

Summary

Introduction

Floriculture is one of the most important economic activities for the agribusiness in Brazil. Edaphoclimatic conditions in Brazil, especially in the North and Northeast, favor the production of flowers and ornamental plants of excellent quality (Junqueira & Peetz, 2014) In this context, tropical plants appear as an excellent opportunity for Brazil to expand its agricultural frontiers and increase its capacity to generate employment and income in rural areas (Unemoto et al, 2012; Albuquerque et al, 2014). Under certain environmental conditions, the absorbed light energy can be higher or lower than plant capacity to use it, creating an imbalance caused by photoinhibition or light deficiency Under these conditions, crop development and yield are severely restricted (Ivanov et al, 2008; Daí et al, 2009; Craven et al, 2010)

Objectives

Methods

Results