Selection of an effective biofilmed biofertilizer formulation and best potting medium for anthurium (Anthurium andraeanum)
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Date
2015
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka
Abstract
Anthurium is identified as one of the crops prioritized for the development and export promotion
in Sri Lanka (Kelegama, 2001). Optimum growth and flowering of Anthurium mainly depend on
potting medium, fertilizer and light levels (Higaki et al, 1994). Potting medium rich in nutrients
and effective fertilizers can be used for the optimum growth of this plant. Beneficial biofilm
based biofertilizers called biofilmed biofertilizers (BFBFs) have been introduced recently
(Seneviratne et al., 2010). Present study was focused to select an effective biofilmed biofertilizer
formulation and evaluate the comparative effect of different potting media on vegetative growth
of Anthurium andreanum plant.
Methodology
The present study was carried out at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya. Two experiments
with different treatments were conducted during this study. First experiment was conducted
under shade house conditions with different fertilizer treatments; 50 % chemical fertilizer (CF),
50 % CF + BFBF and100 % CF recommended for Anthurium was selected as the control. In the
second experiment, four different potting media (inert particle mixture, coir chips, leaf litter with
sand, control) were used and the existing potting medium, which was used at the Royal Botanic
Gardens, Peradeniya was taken as the control. Different BFBF with 50 % CF application was
under taken at one week interval for the plants of the first experiment and 50 % CF application
was under taken at one week interval for the plants of second experiment. Initial data were
collected before the plants establishment and final vegetative growth parameters were measured
after three months of plant establishment in both experiments. Plant height (cm), plant weight
(g), total root length (cm), leaf number, leaf area, root number and the chlorophyll content were
considered as the vegetative growth parameters. Treatments were arranged in a Complete
Randomized Design (CRD). Mean separation was conducted using the Tukey method (P< 0.05).
MINITAB 16 statistical package (Minitab Inc.) was used for data analysis in both experiments.
Description
Keywords
Floriculture Industry, Agriculture, Export Agriculture, Crop Production, Crop Production Technology