The objective of the present work was to evaluate the effect of nitrogen (N) and calcium (Ca), complementary to the complete fertilization established, on production, quality and postharvest shelf life of floral stems of gerbera as cut flower harvested 117 days after transplant. The experiment consisted of a combination of three doses of N.L−1 substrate (0.07 g, 0.15 g and 0.2 g) and three doses of Ca.L−1 substrate (0.02 g; 0.03 g and 0.04 g) and was conducted in a greenhouse in a bifactorial arrangement with an additional control treatment. Control plants were not supplemented with N or Ca. Both elements were diluted in water and applied manually every 15 days. Highest flower yields were obtained with application 0.2 g de N.L−1 substrate and 0.04 g Ca.L−1 substrate. Stem length, stem diameter, flower diameter, and longevity, relative fresh weight and solution uptake were highest in gerbera fertilized with 0.2 g de N.L−1 substrate and 0.04 g Ca.L−1 substrate. Applying every 15 days, 0.2 g of N.L−1 substrate and 0.04 g of Ca.L−1 substrate resulted in higher yields, better quality and postharvest shelf life of floral stems of gerbera as cut flower harvested 117 days after transplant.

Gerbera is a flowering species with relevance to the cut flower market. Understanding nutritional requirements of the species is important to improve fertilization procedures. In the present work, our objective was to evaluate the influence of different doses of nitrogen (N) and calcium (Ca) on the growth and development of gerbera cultivated in pots as a cut flower. The experiment was conducted in a protected environment in a bifactorial design, with an additional treatment consisting of the combination of three N (0.07, 0.15 and 0.2 g L-1 substrate) and Ca (0.02, 0.03 and 0.04 g L-1 substrate) doses applied every 15 days. Control plants were not supplemented with either N or Ca. No significant interaction between N and Ca doses was observed. The highest number of flower stalks was obtained with 0.15 g N L-1 substrate and 0.04 g Ca L-1 substrate. Flower diameter, plant leaf area and total chlorophyll contents were at a maximum of 0.14 g N L-1 substrate and 0.04 g Ca L-1 substrate. N and Ca doses influenced in an independent manner the growth and development of gerberas as a cut flower cultivated in pots, and we determined that its fertilization should occur every 15 days with 0.34 g N L-1 substrate and 0.04 g Ca L-1 substrate.

Success in production and quality of gerbera flower stalks over time depends on environmental factors and on appropriate fertilization procedures. The objective of the present work was to evaluate the production and quality of flower stalks of gerberas as cut flower cultivated for 28 months (with 25 months of harvest) in a pine bark-based substrate supplemented with different doses of nitrogen and calcium. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse. Three doses of nitrogen (N) (0.07 g, 0.15 g and 0.20 g L-1 substrate) and three doses of calcium (Ca) (0.02 g, 0.03 g and 0.04 g L-1 substrate) were applied every 15 days along the cultivation period. The control was considered an additional treatment to which neither N nor Ca was supplemented to the plants in the pots. Highest flower yields and best flower quality were obtained in months in which the temperatures were in the range of 20 ºC to 25 ºC. The highest number of floral stalks and the largest diameter of the capitulum had a significant quadratic adjustment according to N doses. The maximum values were obtained with 0.14 g of N L-1 substrate. Whereas for Ca fertilization, a significant positive linear adjustment was determined, i.e., the highest values were obtained with the highest dose (0.04 g Ca L-1 substrate). There was a monthly variation in the yield and quality of cut gerberas grown in commercial substrate based on pine bark regardless of the different doses of nitrogen and calcium used in the experiment.

Hippeastrum spp. are herbaceous species belonging to the family Amaryllidaceae, widely marketed worldwide as indoor plants. Aiming to characterize chemically and physically and to compare five substrates in acclimatization, micropropagated seedlings of Hippeastrum reticulatum var. striatifolium (Herb), with an average of four roots, two leaves and bulbs with a 4.7mm diameter, were transplanted to 50-cell polyethylene trays each containing the following substrates: T1 - vermiculite, T2 - carbonized rice husk (CRH), T3 - commercial (peat + vermiculite + CRH), T4 - coconut fiber, and T5 - composted Pinus bark. After transplantation, the trays were kept for 17 days at a greenhouse with intermittent irrigation by nebulization, and 80 days at a greenhouse on a bench with intermittent irrigation by capillarity. The experimental design was randomized blocks with seven replications and ten seedlings per plot. The acclimatization of seedlings was efficient for the substrates tested despite the differences verified by chemical and physical characterization. The mean survival rate was 96%. However, seedlings acclimatized in the T5 substrate showed a qualitative improvement due to a higher formation of roots, leaves and fresh matter.

-Psidium cattleianum Sab., from Mirtaceae family, commonly known as araçá, is a native species form the South of Brazil, present in biomes such as the Atlantic Forest, a deciduous forest of Brazilian cerrado, strongly affected by the expansion of areas for agricultural and industrial production. Researches on plant breeding area, nutraceuticals and other areas have validated its potential and it detaches the need to promote it on a commercial scale. Mechanisms, that allow exploiting its genetic potential while maintaining its conservation areas, require adjustment in cloning techniques for fixing interest characteristics. In this investigation, seedlings of leaf cutting and young branch were assessed, with three treatments in leaf cutting (H 2 PO 4 0.2 gL and AIB and powder-based applied over cutting region). Moreover, leaf cuttings of five cm length and the two leaves were treated with AIB (0, 1,500, 3,000 and 6,000 mg L ). Treatment with AIB (powder) in leaf cuttings showed higher survival of leave; however, there were callus formation, especially compared to other treatments of H 2 PO 4 and AIB that showed average rooting percentage of 18%. In plant cuttings, there were no significant difference for the variables evaluated between AIB doses; however, the use of cytokinin (BAP 500 mg L -1 ) was inhibitory. There was no difference at rooting percentage (98%) without treatment with regulator, maintaining similar with BAP doses.Keywords: Growth regulator; Native fruit; Plant propagation. PROPAGAÇÃO ASSEXUADA DE ARAÇAZEIRO (Psidium cattleianum Sabine) POR ESTACAS DE FOLHAS E RAMOS JOVENSRESUMO -Psidium cattleianum Sab., família Myrtaceae, popularmente conhecida no Brasil como araçazeiro é uma espécie nativa do sul do Brasil, presente em biomas como a Mata Atlântica, Floresta Estacional Decídua e o Cerrado brasileiro, fortemente afetados pela expansão das áreas de cultivo e agroindústria. Pesquisas na área fitotécnica, nutracêutica e outras têm validado o seu potencial e destacado a necessidade de promovê-la a escala comercial. Mecanismos que permitam explorar seu potencial genético, mantendo as áreas de preservação exigem o ajuste de técnicas de clonagem para a fixação de características de interesse. Nesta pesquisa, avaliou-se a produção de mudas por estacas de folhas e ramas jóvenes, com três tratamentos (H 2 PO 4 0,2 gL, AIB 100 mg L -1 AIB em talco, aplicado por contato na região do corte). Além disso, estacas herbáceas de cinco centímetros de comprimento e duas folhas foram tratadas com AIB (0, 1500, 3000 e 6000 mg L -1 ) na ausência e na presença de BAP (500 mg L -1 ). O tratamento com AIB (talco) nas estacas de folha mostrou maior sobrevivência, porém houve principalmente a formação de calos quando comparado com outros tratamentos de AIB e H 2 PO 4 que mostraram porcentagem de enraizamento em média de 18%. Nas estacas de ramo 708Revista Árvore, Viçosa-MG, v.40, n.4, p.707-714, 2016 RODRIGUEZ, E.A.G. et al.jovem, não houve diferença significativa entre as variáveis avaliadas nas doses de AIB, por...