Management of tillering in the production of flower stems of heliconia cultivated in pots

Abstract

Potted cultivation of tropical flowers presents good projections for the northeastern region of Brazil; however, it still faces some peculiarities regarding conduction and management. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of tillering on the production of Heliconia psittacorum L.f. cv. Red Opal, grown in flowerpot. The experiment was carried out in a protected environment at the Campus of Agricultural Sciences (CCA) of UNIVASF, Petrolina - PE, Brazil, between 2014 and 2016. A completely randomized design was used, with four tiller densities per pot (4, 8, 12 and 16 tillers) and eight replications, totaling 32 plots. The irrigation system was automated and monitored by weighing lysimetry. Were evaluated: efficiency of water use (EUA); harvested flower stems (HC); ratio of harvested stems and number of tillers (HC / NP); number of leaves (NF); duration of vegetative (DFV) and productive phases (DFP); total cycle (CT); floral stem length (CHF); floral stem diameter (DH), bracts length (CB) and equivalent diameter of the collar (DECH). The results were subjected to regression test. The EUA was higher in the density of 16 tillers pot-1; the HC variable presented an increasing linear trend; a decreasing linear trend was detected for HC/NP, NF, DFP, DH, CB and DECH. The number of tillers in the pot does not limit the emission of floral stems. However, the quality of these is inversely proportional to the tiller density.

Global vision of heliconias research as cut flower: a review

“…Regarding propagation, the studies were oriented to the use of growth regulators (BAP and NAA) in culture medium as this favors an increase in sprouts and it is possible to obtain satisfactory levels of propagation in heliconia cultivars (Raizer et al, 2015;Rodrigues et al, 2016). Tillering was also evaluated in relation to the efficiency of water use, harvested flower stems, relationship of harvested stems and number of tillers, among other variables (Coelho et al, 2019).…”

Productivity and postharvest durability of Heliconiaceae grown in full sun in the Midwest region of Brazil

“…Climatic conditions such as solar radiation, temperature, and relative humidity influence the growth of heliconias (Coelho et al, 2019). These plants occur throughout tropical America, in dry and humid regions with temperatures ranging from 23 to 30 °C (Brainer & Oliveira, 2006).…”