Growth and vase life of gladiolus plants cultivated under different conditions in the semi-arid region of Brazil

Abstract

Cultivation conditions are determining factors that affect the quality of cut flowers. The objective of this study was to evaluate the vegetative growth, flowering and vase life of commercial gladiolus cultivars under different shading conditions in the Brazilian semi-arid region. Two cultivars of gladiolus (Jester and Rose Friendship) were grown under two conditions: full sun and 70% shade. Biometrics were evaluated 60 days after planting and the growth rate of the crop was evaluated at 15-30, 30-45 and 45-60 days for the variables: number of tillers, stem diameter, number of leaves and plant height. After 45 days, the fresh weight, dry weight and total relative water content of the area and root parts of the plants were evaluated. After the harvest, the stems were kept at a temperature of 22±3 °C and relative humidity (RH) of 60%. Visual assessment, pH of the solution, variation in the volume of water and loss of fresh mass were measured every two days. Cultivation with 70% shading resulted in greater accumulation of biomass in the aerial part of gladiolus plants, greater neck diameter and height. The Rose Friendship cultivar underwent a greater translocation of dry matter to the aerial part of the plants, resulting in greater height. On the other hand, the gladiolus stems from cultivation under full sun conditions resulted in longer vase life, 10 days under conservation conditions at 22±3 °C and RH 60%.

Flowering phenophases and morphoagronomic characterization of Palma Santa Rita cultivars

“…Gladiolus plants grown in a shaded environment showed higher fresh mass, NFB and yield, regardless of the number of planting rows. The use of 70% shading for the cultivation of gladiolus under the semi-arid conditions of Serra Talhada, Pernambuco, promoted an increase in the amount of biomass in the aerial part, as well as in plant diameter and height (Sousa et al, 2021). These findings agree with the present study that obtained similar results for plants grown under 30% shading.…”

Gladiolus production as a function of growing environment conditions: a scientometric analysis

“…Extreme temperatures (above 35 °C and below 0 °C) reduce the commercial quality of stems and can even cause plant death (Schwab et al, 2018). An alternative to mitigate the effects of high temperatures is cultivation under protection (shading) (Sousa et al, 2021). In shaded cultivation with 70% shading, an 84.42%…”

“…increase in aboveground biomass accumulation can be observed, along with increased stem diameter and plant height by 59.57% and 50.00%, respectively, compared to cultivation under full sun. However, flower stems from bulbs produced in full sun have an additional 10 days of vase life (Sousa et al, 2021).…”

Scientific analysis of cut flowers: a review of the main technical issues developed

“…Another way to manage luminosity, but in a passive way, is the use of shading or photo-selective nets, e.g. Sousa et al (2021), evaluated the vegetative growth, flowering and vase life of some gladiolus cultivars exposed to full sun conditions and under a 70% shade system. The results reported show that under shade the plants exhibited greater height and larger stem diameter, although a shorter vase life compared to plants exposed to direct sun.…”