ISHS Acta Horticulturae 779: International Symposium on Growing Media
WHERE ARE THE LIMITATIONS FOR THE PRESENT WATER REGIMES? |
| Authors: | K. Löfkvist, B.W. Alsanius |
| Keywords: | growers conception, irrigation, TDR, light intensity |
| Abstract:
For irrigation of pot plants in commercial greenhouse production sites, a perceptual method based on experience and personal skills are often adopted in Northern European countries. For control of the water status of plants managed according to this approach, factors comprised by this perceptual method ought to be defined. The objective of this survey was to appoint key factors included into the perceptual approach and to reflect the effect of different watering regimes on growth of Kalanchoe bossfeldiana. A triangular approach using observation in two commercial greenhouse market gardens using scales, interview and analysis was adopted. Pot plant growers in Sweden indicated that light was the most dominant factor for water dynamics in pot plant production. This was also confirmed by the empirical data collected in two commercial growing sites. In-depth interviews with five growers showed that interactions between different growing factors and water use as well as irrigation regime were not always too clear. Despite of the awareness of light as a dominant factor for water need, the weight changes of the scales in the commercial growing sites did not consider this factor as a major influence on irrigation. As expected, the moisture level in the substrate affected canopy biomass production of Kalanchoe bossfeldiana in a small scale greenhouse experiment. | |
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