Effect of water levels depletion in substrate in the development of Heliconia psittacorum L. F. CV. red opal grown in pots

Abstract

Flowers and ornamental plants cultivation in Brazil has grown over the years as economic activity. Pernambuco state is one of the major producers and exporters of Heliconia sp, a highlighting tropical flower in Brazil. However, detailed information regarding to the irrigation needed especially in semiarid conditions remain little studied. The objective was to evaluate different levels of water depletion in the substrate as indicators of irrigation time and its effects on growth and productivity of Heliconia psittacorum L.f. cv. Red Opal in pots. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse covered with 50% shade cloth located at Campus of Agricultural Sciences at Federal University of Vale do São Francisco in Petrolina, PE, Brazil. This is a semiarid region in Brazil where the irrigation is necessary for production of most crops. The experimental design was completely randomized blocks with six levels of water depletion in the substrate and five replications. The determination of the depletion level was performed by use of weighing lysimeters. The following parameters were evaluated: the water consumption of the plants, the amount of macro and micronutrients applied and the number of tillers. It was concluded that the water depletion level at 5% on the weight capacity of container increased the number of tillers. However, the management under conditions of free growth of tillers inhibited the emission of flower stalks of Heliconia grown in pots. The efficient water use in semiarid climate is a requirement for the sustainability and reduction of production costs.