Journal of Soil and Plant Interactions

This research was performed to investigate the effect of different substrates and humic acid on quantitative and qualitative traits of cut Rose (Rosa hybrida cv. Angelina) in soilless culture. A factorial experiment was carried out in a randomized complete blocks design with three replications. The first factor was humic acid (HA) at 4 concentrations (0, 2, 4 and 6 gr/L) and the second factor was six different combinations of substrate (1- Vermicompost + Cocopeat, 2- Vermicompost + Perlite 3- Vermicompost + Zeolite, 4- Zeolite+ Cocopeat, 5- Sawdust + Cocopeat, and 6- Zeolite + Sawdust, as 50:50 ratio). Traits such as stem length and diameter, flower-bud diameter, fresh and dry weights of stem, chlorophyll index, and potassium and phosphorus content were measured. Results showed that application of HA and type of substrate was significantly effective (P<0.01) on all investigated traits. The highest flower stalk (73.63 cm), diameter of flower bud (33.3 mm), stem diameter (6.97 mm), stem fresh weight (48.83 gr), stem dry weight (12.11 gr) and leaf phosphorus content were obtained in the plants cultured in vermicompost+ cocopeat and treated with 6 gr/L HA as compared to other treatments. Therefore, application of 6 gr/L HA and mixture of vermicompost and cocopeat as susbtrate in order to improve the quality of rose cut flower in soilless culture is recommended.

Semperflorens begonia (Begonia semperflorens) is an ornamental house-plant which for its optimal growth and development needs a proper nutrition. Currently, cyanobacteria are sought after by plant growers as a growth bio-stimulant. Spirulina (Spirulina platensis) is an important cyanobacterium which has a vast range of nutritional organic and inorganic substances. This green-blue algae could be a new option of bio-fertilizers for organic cultivation of plants, which merits further investigations in different plants. In this regard, a research with a completely randomized design and five replications was carried out in the greenhouse of the Department of Horticultural Science at Shiraz University, to increase the quality and yield of semperflorens begonia. Spirulina treatments were studied in two forms of soil fertilization and foliar spray (concentrations of 0, 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 mg/L). Results showed that soil fertilization has greater effect on morphophysiological traits of begonia than foliar spray. Soil fertilization with 4000 mg/L spirulina was the best treatment and compared to the control, significantly increased the vegetative growth, phosphorus, potassium and chlorophyll content of leaves and visual quality of semperflorens begonia. Also, in the abovementioned treatment, the sugar content of leaves, petals’ anthocyanin content and number of flowers were 3, 2 and 2 times higher than control treatment.