PERFORMANCE OF GERBERA CULTIVARS FOR DIFFERENT LEVELS OF SILICIC ACID APPLICATION UNDER PROTECTED CONDITION
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Date
2020
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University of Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot. (College of Horticulture, Bagalkot).
Abstract
A polyhouse experiment on “Performance of gerbera cultivars for different levels of
silicic acid under protected condition” was carried out at Udyanagiri, UHS, Bagalkot main
campus during August to December 2019. The experiment was conducted with seven
cultivars of gerbera and three different levels of silicic acid using factorial CRD design.
Gerbera cultivars responded well to foliar applications of silicic acids. Among all
seven cultivars, „Marinilla‟ recorded with highest number of flowers (15.11) and lowest
number of flowers observed with cultivar „Vilassar‟ (13.11). Cultivars „Vilassar‟ and
„Amelie‟ recorded with highest flower diameter (11.88 mm) than „Natasha‟ (10.47 mm).
Stalk length was recorded highest with cultivar „Marinilla‟ (70.16 cm) and lowest stalk
length was observed in cultivar „Nijela‟ (64.16 cm) after fourth spray. Flowers of cultivars
„Vilassar‟ and „Amlet‟ was recorded with higher vase life (13.88 days) compared to other
cultivars. Among different cultivars, „Marinilla‟ showed superior results with respect to
number of flowers, stalk length, stalk diameter, plant height, leaf area and leaf width.
Foliar spray of silicon in the form silicic acid at 4 ml/L of water increased plant
height, leaf area per plant, leaf length and chlorophyll contents of plant. Silicic acid spray at
2 ml/L of water showed better results with respect to number of flowers, flower diameter,
stalk length, stalk diameter and vase life of flower. Stalk length was observed highest (67.90
cm) with foliar application of silicic acid at 2 ml/L of water and lowest stalk length (64.66
cm) was recorded with 0 ml/L of water of silicic acid level after fourth spray. Foliar spray
of silicic acid 2 ml/L of water was recorded with highest vase life of flower (14.33 days).
Treatment without silicic acid (0 ml/L) recorded with less vase life (12.76 days). Number of
flowers, stalk length, vase life and flower diameter were not influenced by interaction
effects of gerbera cultivars and silicic acid levels.
Application of silicon in the form of silicic acid did not change the available
nitrogen, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Mn, Zn in final soil samples and leaf nutrient status was not
influenced by silicic acid levels. Silicon content in leaf tissues varied positively with
increased silicic acid levels. Silicic acid level with 4 ml/L of water increased silicon content
in leaf (0.168 %).