The influence of fungi of the Trichoderma genus on the flowering of Freesia refracta Klatt 'Argentea' in winter

Abstract

The flowering and quality of Freesia refracta Klatt 'Argentea' were assessed after the application of fungi of the Trichoderma genus and assimilation lighting. The assimilation lighting accelerated the flowering of the Freesia refracta 'Argentea' plants by 3-4 weeks. The fungi of the Trichoderma genus accelerated the flowering of the Freesia refracta 'Argentea' plants with light deficit by about one week. The assimilation lighting resulted in the development of shorter main inflorescence shoots regardless of the fact whether the plants had been treated with the fungi of the Trichoderma genus or not. The assimilation lighting and the fungi of the Trichoderma genus stimulated the development of lateral inflorescence shoots in the 'Argentea' cultivar. The fungi of the Trichoderma genus stimulated the development of flowers in the 'Argentea' cultivar. This effect was particularly noticeable when the plants were exposed to the assimilation lighting. The assimilation lighting stimulated the uptake of potassium in the 'Argentea' cultivar. The fungi of the Trichoderma genus stimulated the uptake of phosphorus and calcium in the plants underexposed to light. They also stimulated the uptake of potassium in the plants exposed to the assimilation lighting. The assimilation lighting stimulated the uptake of microelements. The fungi of the Trichoderma genus stimulated the uptake of iron, manganese and zinc both in the plants exposed to the assimilation lighting and those underexposed to light. The assimilation lighting combined with the treatment with the fungi of the Trichoderma genus stimulated the uptake of copper.