Evaluation of macronutrient demand in calla lily (<i>Zantedeschia aethiopica</i>)

Abstract Zantedeschia species are important plants in the flower market, but there is insufficient information available on nutrient absorption and accumulation for the various developmental stages of these plants. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate macronutrient accumulation in Zantedeschia aethiopica. Following acclimatization, micropropagated shoots were cultivated in pots with coconut fiber as a substrate and were fertilized with a modified version of Malavolta solution, as described. For each tested plot, evaluations were performed every 30 days for 12 months. We evaluated the dry mass of each plant part (leaves, rhizomes, roots and flower stalks) and then calculated the dry mass accumulation and the nutrient contents. A randomized block study design was applied, with 4 replicates, totaling 48 plots. The aerial parts of the plants showed macronutrient content and accumulation in the sequences K + &gt;N&gt;Ca 2+ &gt;S&gt;P&gt;Mg and K&gt;N&gt;P&gt;Ca&gt;S&gt;Mg, respectively, with the highest values being observed between 265 and 328 days after planting. The aerial parts showed greater accumulation of dry mass and macronutrients, whereas the flowers did not display significant macronutrient accumulation. The highest rates of macronutrient accumulation and growth occurred during the 210 days after transplanting, which corresponds to the pre-blooming period, indicating that fertilizers must be divided and applied at their highest levels prior to blooming

Evapotranspiration of rose cultivated in protected environment

The objective of this study was to determine the evapotranspiration and crop coefficient for the cut rose (cv. Carola) cultivated in protected environment and the coefficient of small tank installed inside the greenhouse during the period of one year. Five rows of plants were planted with spacing of 1.20 m between rows and 0.20 m between plants. Each line consisted of five plots with five plants per plot. Plants of the second and fourth rows and of the second and fourth plots were installed in four drainage lysimeters with dimensions of 1.20 x 1.20 x 0.80 m. The plants of the remaining plots were considered as border plants. A drip irrigation system was used. An automatic weather station was installed in the greenhouse and the data were collected and stored daily at an interval of one hour in a data-logger. The crop coefficient (Kc) showed mean values of 0.75 in the vegetative phase and 1.18 during the productive phase. The small pan (tank) coefficient (Ktr) was 0.72