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Dynamics of flowers yield of Gerbera cultivars (Gerbera jamesonii H. Bolus): Relationship with phothosynthetic rates

Abstract:

The information about the dynamics of Gerbera flower production in tropical regions is scarce. Having temperatures and number radiation hours relatively constant during the year in the tropics, raises the hypothesis that the monthly production of flowers should be similar and differences of flowers yield between cultivars could be due to assimilation of CO2 (A). To verify this hypothesis a block randomly design with three replicates was established. Weekly production of flowers of eight cultivars during the first two years of cultivation under greenhouse conditions at an altitude of 1936 m was recorded. Measurements of A, transpiration (E) and leaf conductance (gs) at various times of the crop were carried out and concentrations of N leaf were determined at 17 month after transplant. The pattern of flower production was in constant increase in the first year to stabilize in the second year between 2.5-3 flowers.plant-1 monthly. There was no relationship between the number of flowers produced with A rates or the content of N-leaf of cultivars. Besides to find significantly flowers yields between cultivars the accumulated production of the number of flowers during the first 24 months follows a linear trend, which allows to have a general mathematical expression that could be used as a guide for follow programs of yields and evaluate the success of any development of this crop in altitudes above 1600 m.