Effect of coco peat media and electrical conductivity on production of Gerbera jamesonii

Abstract

The experiment was carried out with gerbera to study the influence of coco peat based potting mixtures on production and leaf nutrient content of Gerbera jamesonii. The treatments include 100, 75, 50 and 25 per cent coco peat mixed with various proportion of normal growing media supplied with nutrient solutions having three different electrical conductivity 1.3 ds/m(E1), 1.8 ds/m (E2) and 2.3 ds/m (E3). The medium containing higher proportion of coco peat had good physico- chemical properties. The pH of the growing media decreased with increase in nutrient EC levels. The medium containing 100% coco peat supplied with nutrient solution having EC of 1.8 ds/m (E2) produced good quality flowers. The build up of EC was high in 100 per cent coco peat medium and low in normal growing medium. The phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulphur and micronutrients in leaves were determined after 4 months after planting. The leaf phosphorus, manganese, zinc, copper and sodium contents were high in 100 per cent coco peat medium while potassium and calcium contents were at optimum level. However, magnesium, sulphur and iron content were high in normal growing medium. In general, the nutrient contents increased with increased coco peat proportion.