Abstract

This research was conducted to determine the effects of different nutrient solution formulations on the yield and quality of cut flowers and growth of gerbera plants in substrate culture system. Five different nutrient solution formulations were used. The gerbera plantlets were planted into pots filled with perlite and peat mixture, and values of flower yield and cut flower quality criteria, and several parameters related to growth performance such as number of daughter plants, root growth criteria, plant fresh weight were obtained. The best results of cut flower yield, flower quality and plant growth were obtained from gerberas nourished by the “ÇolakoÄŸlu-2” nutrient solution formulation which consists of 150 ppm N, 31 ppm P, 234 ppm K, 30 ppm Mg, 100 ppm Ca, 15 ppm S, 8 ppm Fe, 5 ppm Mn, 1.5 ppm B, 2 ppm Cu, 3 ppm Zn and 0.2 ppm Mo. The highest flower yield was 38.67 flowers per plant in this solution. The highest value of the number of daughter plants (3.53/plant) in gerbera was determined in the “ÇolakoÄŸlu-2” nutrient solution formulation.

Key words: Gerbera jamesonii, nutrient solution formulation, quality, yield, cut flower, substrate culture.