Bagging to protect calla lily flowers against stingless bee (Trigona spinipes)

Stingless bee Trigona spinipes (Hymenoptera: Apidae) is an important pest of calla lily, Zantedeschia aethiopica (L.), damaging flowers, especially the spadix. The aim was to identify the most efficient packaging for bagging calla lily inflorescences, aiming to protect against the attack of stingless bee and to maintain postharvest quality. The experiment was carried out in a calla lily plantation cultivated in soil under 50% shading screen. Treatments consisted in bagging calla lily flowers with: 1) brown kraft paper bag, 2) non-woven fabric (NWF) bag; 3) transparent plastic bag, 4) transparent micro-perforated plastic bag and 5) control (without bagging). The experimental design was completely randomized with 25 replicates and one inflorescence per plot. Inflorescences received treatments when they presented definitive color, but still with completely closed spathe. Seven days after bagging, inflorescences were collected and evaluated for damages caused by insects in the field and the postharvest characteristics. Postharvest quality evaluations of inflorescences were performed for 12 days, observing expansion of the spathe in length and width, stem weight and visual quality expressed by the number of days that remained in each class. The bagging of calla lily inflorescences was efficient in the control of stingless bee, regardless of packaging used, because under these conditions, no inflorescence presented damage. In control, 84% of damaged inflorescences were observed. Differences in postharvest characteristics were observed and inflorescences remained for longer periods in the process of spathe opening, which is characterized by the measurement of their length and width, when packed. Among packages, NWF allowed longer spathe length at the 6th day of evaluation, larger width at 7th day of evaluation and less fresh mass loss at the end of the experiment (8%). In control, reduction of spathe measurements from the first day of evaluation and loss of 11% of fresh mass were observed. It was concluded that NWF is an efficient packaging to protect calla lily against the attack of stingless bee without compromising the postharvest quality of inflorescences

Efeito de diferentes substratos e aplicações de manipueira no desenvolvimento de gerânio

O mercado consumidor de flores no exterior, principalmente na Europa, está se tornando cada vez mais exigente com relação aos resíduos provenientes dos tratos culturais. Desta forma a agricultura orgânica apresenta-se como uma nova alternativa para a produção de flores com potencial para exportação, uma vez que são utilizados fertilizantes orgânicos que deixam menos resíduo

Nitrogen nutrition of bromeliads

Plants of Bromeliaceae family are noted for their exotics colors and shapes. In last years bromeliads have presented great economic importance, due its use in landscaping projects and for decoration, being quite grown commercially. Proper fertilizer is an important management for efficient production of plants with better quality. As a result, this study aimed to compile information about nitrogen nutrition of bromeliads. Due to the several growth habits, the bromeliads are exposed to different sources and forms of nitrogen supply depending on the environment in which they develop. Studies prove that the epiphytic bromeliads exhibit a preference for organic nitrogen form and terrestrial bromeliads by inorganic form due to the availability of this nutrient in the environment. Bromeliads also exhibit specific physiological and morphological adaptations to increase the uptake an assimilation of nitrogen

Eficiência na absorção de água de rosas variedade Tineke mantidas em diferentes conservantes florais

Este trabalho teve como objetivo analisar a eficiência na absorção de água de rosas ‘Tineke’ mantidas em oito diferentes conservantes florais

Green manure affects cut flower yield and quality of ‘Vegas’ rose bushes

Rose cultivation requires many inputs for satisfactory production, making the process expensive. Nowadays, alternative practices have been used for sustainable crop production. Green manure is an agricultural practice that aims to maintain or improve soil fertility, increasing its yielding capacity. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of green manure with legumes on the yield and quality of ‘Vegas’ roses. Grafted rose seedlings were cultivated in open field for 30 months. Legumes used as green manure and planted intercropped with rose bushes were forage peanut (Arachis pintoi) and jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis). Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) was grown in a separate area, cut, macerated, and applied in the rows between rose bushes every 3 months. Plants of control group received no green manure, only mineral fertilizer and cattle manure, as in all other treatments. The experimental design was randomized block with four treatments (three green manure species plus the control) and seven replications. The highest yield and quality of flower stems in ‘Vegas’ occurred with addition of pigeon pea on the soil surface or chemically treated (control). Forage peanut and jack bean are not suitable for intercropping with ‘Vegas’ rose bushes due to possible nutrient and water competition

Storage and methyl jasmonate in postharvest conservation of roses cv. Avalanche

The use of methyl jasmonate has demonstrated its efficiency to extend the vase life of cut flowers. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of methyl jasmonate associated with storage at low temperatures on the postharvest quality of Rosa cv. Avalanche stems. The treatments consisted of 125, 250, 500 and 1000 μM of methyl jasmonate, besides the control with distilled water. The flower buds were sprayed with 4 mL of the solution, according to the treatments, and then kept in a cold chamber (1 °C) for periods of 2 and 6 days. Subsequently, the stems were taken to the postharvest laboratory at a temperature of 16 °C. Better quality, higher fresh weight and water absorption were observed in flower stems stored for 2 days. The application of methyl jasmonate caused less turgescence and greater darkening of roses. It was possible to conclude that two days is the best storage time at 1 °C and the use of methyl jasmonate does not maintain the quality of roses cv. Avalanche after harvest

Nitrogen fertilization on the substrate for bromeliads cultivation

One of the reasons for the predatory extraction of bromeliads is the lack of information about the techniques of growing these plants, mainly in relation to fertilization. This work aimed to evaluate the effect of nitrogen on substrate in vegetative growth and nutrient content in leaves of bromeliads Nidularium fulgens. Seedlings were submitted to six levels of nitrogen: 0, 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 mg/dm3. The experimental design used was the randomized block design with six treatments, five replications and three plants per plot. Plants were evaluated on the number of leaves, height, diameter of base, dry matter and foliar mineral composition. The results showed that there was a linear increase of the height, number of leaves and foliar dry matter with higher nitrogen rates. The increasing levels of nitrogen gave an increase in foliar nitrogen and manganese and reduce leaf content of calcium and copper. Nitrogen rates applied did not influence the contents of P, K, S, B, Zn and Mg. These results suggest that the addition of nitrogen fertilizer at 500 mg/dm3 in Nidularium fulgens provides greater vegetative development, increases the leaf N and Mn content and reduces the content of Ca and Cu