Evaluation of gerbera cultivars and silicic acid applications under polyhouse condition

Abstract

A study on performance of gerbera cultivars for different levels of silicic acid application was carried out under protected condition. The results revealed that among all seven cultivars, ‘Marinilla’ recorded with highest number of flowers (15.11) and lowest number of flowers observed with cultivar ‘Vilassar’ (13.11). Regarding leaf length, cultivar ‘Nijela’ (30.02 cm) recorded significantly higher leaf length than ‘Amlet’ (26.41 cm), but was on par with ‘Marinilla’ (29.64 cm), ‘Rionegro’ (29.03 cm), ‘Amelie’ (28.50 cm) and ‘Vilassar’ (28.38 cm) cultivars. Leaf width recorded was not significantly influenced due to cultivars of gerbera’. However, cultivar ‘Marinilla’ (10.60 cm) recorded higher leaf width than cultivar ‘Amelie’ (9.90 cm). Regarding leaf area per plant recorded with cultivar ‘Marinilla’ (1230.13 cm2) was significantly higher than ‘Nijela’ (1055.96 cm2) cultivar. The extent of increase in leaf area per plant in ‘Marinilla’ was 16% more than ‘Vilassar’ cultivar. Soil nutrients like available nitrogen, available phosphorus and available potassium contents did not vary significantly due to silicic acid levels.