Effect of different growing media and pH on growth and development of Anthurium andreanum L.

Abstract

Anthurium is gaining importance in the global cut-flower trade because of its attractive and long lasting flowers. Commercial cultivation of this crop started recently in India and hence there is a need to standardize the growing techniques. Anthurium plants require a growing medium with good physical and chemical properties for their proper growth and development. In the present study coir pith, a waste product of coir industry, was tested in combination with different proportions of normal potting medium (soil, sand and FYM in 2:1:1 ratio) to find of their suitability as substrate for Anthurium. Coir pith and normal potting medium ratio of 100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75 and 0: 100 were tried in the experiment. In each growing media three levels of pH (4.5-5.5, 5.5-6.5-75) were maintained to determine the optimum range of pH for Anthurium. The experiment was designed in a completely randomized factorial design with fifteen treatment combinations. Increased proportions of coir pith in the growing media improved the physical properties viz., maximum water holding capacity, porosity and drainage. The bulk density and particle were lowered with the addition of coir pith due to the increase in pore space and lighter weight of particle. The pH of the growing medium was decreased with increasing proportions of coir pith whereas CEC was found to be increasing with increasing amounts for coir path. The available NPK status of coir pith containing medium was higher than that of normal potting medium. The growth parameters like leaf area, number of levers, petiole length, petiole thickness and number of roots were maximum in 100% coir pith medium. The number of suckers per plant, fresh weight and dry weight were higher in T2 (75% coir pith + 25% normal potting medium) and T1 (100% coir pith) growing media when compared to other growing media treatments. Early flowering was also noticed in these two media where plants flowered within a period of eight months. Leaf water potential was improved by increasing amounts of coir pith in the growing media. The light of these results, it can be concluded that for better growth and development of Anthurium the most suitable growing medium is the one containing coir pith alone. Among the different pH levels maintained in the media, slightly acidic pH range of 5.5-6.5 was optimum for the growth of Anthurium plants.