Efficacy of flurprimidol and peat alternatives on growth control of potted camellias

Abstract

Potted camellias tend to grow more than desired and sometimes in association with poor flowering. Growth regulators of the triazole group have been successfully applied to overcome these issues in the past; however, recent restrictions on the group indicate that new growth retardants must be considered and tested. Concurrent with this change is the need to reduce the horticultural use of peat (potting mixture), a world resource being quickly depleted. Given these two aims, we evaluated the efficacy of flurprimidol, in combination with three peat alternatives (reused nutshells, rice husk, coconut fibres), to control the growth of four Camellia japonica cultivars. Results showed that all considered peat alternatives, especially rice husk, were suitable as partial substitutes. Results also showed that at low concentrations, flurprimidol controlled height (12Á13% reduction) and enhanced flowering (three flowers per plant vs two). However, we suggest that the growth regulator input be adjusted based on the cultivar and substrate type, as the three factors interact strongly.

From soil to soil-less in horticulture: quality and typicity

“…In Italy, there is a real opportunity to use readily available materials with a view to reuse waste materials from other production chains, as confirmed by recent studies. For example, rice husk and hazelnut shells were found to be suitable alternatives to peat for the cultivation of Camellia japonica (Berruti and Scariot, 2013;Larcher and Scariot, 2009;Larcher et al, 2011;Figure 1), and coconut fibre showed positive effects also in the cultivation of other acidophilic species, such as Rhododendron japonicum, Leuchotoe axillaris and Pieris japonica (Berruti and Scariot, 2012), while the compost based on Posidonia beached residues has been successfully used for the production of tomato, pepper and lettuce seedlings (Mininni et al, 2012;Mininni et al, 2013). In parallel with the development of new substrates, we need to widen our knowledge of cultivar management (Caser et al, 2010;Scariot and Gullino, 2010) in order to adapt irrigation and plant protection treatment requirements (Berruti and Scariot, 2013).…”

“…For example, rice husk and hazelnut shells were found to be suitable alternatives to peat for the cultivation of Camellia japonica (Berruti and Scariot, 2013;Larcher and Scariot, 2009;Larcher et al, 2011;Figure 1), and coconut fibre showed positive effects also in the cultivation of other acidophilic species, such as Rhododendron japonicum, Leuchotoe axillaris and Pieris japonica (Berruti and Scariot, 2012), while the compost based on Posidonia beached residues has been successfully used for the production of tomato, pepper and lettuce seedlings (Mininni et al, 2012;Mininni et al, 2013). In parallel with the development of new substrates, we need to widen our knowledge of cultivar management (Caser et al, 2010;Scariot and Gullino, 2010) in order to adapt irrigation and plant protection treatment requirements (Berruti and Scariot, 2013). In order to increase the sustainability of soil-less crops, one extremely interesting possibility would be to reduce the contribution of fertilisers and pesticides in crops by applying inocula of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi selected ad hoc (Berruti and Scariot, 2011).…”

Cultivation Substrate Composition Influences Morphology, Volatilome and Essential Oil of Lavandula Angustifolia Mill.

“…The use of locally sourced materials as potting media is an object of intensive investigation in floriculture and horticulture. Indeed, several studies have investigated the potential of waste derived from agriculture, specifically nutshells, rice husks, coconut fiber, cattle manure and peanut shells [13][14][15][16][17][18]. Municipal wastes are also of interest; these include green compost, vermicompost and sewage sludge [16,19,20].…”

Flowering Mechanisms and Environmental Stimuli for Flower Transition: Bases for Production Scheduling in Greenhouse Floriculture

“…More than the compounds mentioned above, other triazoles are used successfully on flowering crops such as flurprimidol, known for its effect on woody ornamentals, including the acidophilic species Rhododendron catawbiense (Michx.). In Camellia japonica L., flurprimidol increases the number of flowers and is an effective alternative to paclobutrazol, which is less harmful to the environment [ 39 ].…”