GUIDE VALUES FOR ANTHURIUM (ANTHURIUM CULTORUM BIRDSEY) GROWN IN EXPANDED CLAY

Abstract

Coefficients of variation and guide values of nutrients were determined for Anthurium cultorum Birdsey cvs. ‘Baron’, ‘Choco’, ‘Pistache’, ‘President’, ‘Midori’, and ‘Tropical’ grown in expanded clay (inert medium) using drip fertigation. Fully developed leaves after freshly-cut flowers were collected as index parts for chemical analyses at two-month intervals over the period of three years (2002–2004). Investigations were conducted at two specialized commercial farms, recording optimal yielding in terms of quantity and quality. A standard nutrient solution for anthurium hydroponics was used in fertigation. Mean guide values for six analyzed cultivars of Anthurium cultorum Birdsey are (in d.m. leaves): 1.40–1.70% nitrogen (N), 0.30–0.40% phosphorus (P), 3.60–4.50% potassium (K), 1.40–1.80% calcium (Ca), 0.20–0.30% magnesium (Mg), 0.30–0.40% sulfur (S), 46.0–60.0 ppm iron (Fe), 35.0–47.0 ppm manganese (Mn), 54.0– 72.0 ppm zinc (Zn), 5.10–6.50 ppm copper (Cu), and 64.0–83.0 ppm boron (B). Guide values for cvs. ‘Baron’, ‘Choco’, ‘Pistache’, ‘President’, ‘Midori’ and ‘Tropical’ are given in the text of this paper. A diversification was shown in guide values for analyzed cultivars in relation to certain macro- and microelements. Coefficients of variation were determined for nutrient contents in index parts of plants. A very high variation (%) was found for Mn 47.5 and Zn 41.8, high for Mg 38.5, P 32.6, S 30.6, medium for Fe 29.2, Ca 28.0, Cu 23.3 and B 20.3, while low for K 11.4 and N 9.9.

Keywords:

• epiphytes
• fertigation
• leaves
• macroelements
• microelements
• soilless culture

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The study was co-financed by the State Committee for Scientific Research, contract no. 0381/P06/2004.