Growth, nutrient accumulation and export by heliconia ‘Red Opal’

Abstract

Synchronizing the timing of fertilizer applications with plant nutrient demand increases the nutritional efficiency and decrease the cost of production. The objective of this study was to determine the growth and the nutrient uptake and export by heliconia 'Red Opal'. The experiment was carried out in a shade house and Heliconia psittacorum 'Red Opal' rhizomes were planted in soil classified as Arenic Kandinstults. The experimental design was completely randomized with nine plant sampling (zero; 30; 90; 150; 210; 270; 330; 390 and 450 days after planting) and five replicates. Leaves, sheathing leaf bases, flower stem, rhizomes and roots were collected every sampling and dry mass and nutrients accumulation were determined. Heliconia plants showed slow initial development but from the 210 days of planting, which corresponds with the beginning of the flower stem harvest there is a marked increase in dry mass accumulation. Nutrient accumulation followed the decreasing order: K > N = Ca > P = Mg > S > Fe = Mn > Zn > Cu = B. Potassium and calcium were the most exported macronutrients by heliconia flower stem and among the micronutrients, manganese was the most exported. Keywords: Heliconia psittacorum 'Red Opal', nutrient cycling, tropical floriculture. RESUMOCrescimento, acúmulo e exportação de nutrientes pela helicônia 'Red Opal' A sincronização da aplicação dos fertilizantes com a época de demanda de nutrientes aumenta a eficiência nutricional da planta e diminui os custos de produção. Objetivou-se com o trabalho determinar o desenvolvimento e a marcha de absorção de nutrientes pela helicônia 'Red Opal'. O experimento foi conduzido em telado e rizomas de Heliconia psittacorum 'Red Opal' foram plantados em Argissolo Vermelho-Amarelo. O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente casualizado com nove épocas de amostragem (zero; 30; 90; 150; 210; 270; 330; 390 e 450 dias após o plantio) e cinco repetições. Folhas, bainhas, hastes, rizomas e raízes foram coletadas a cada época de amostragem e a massa seca e o acúmulo de nutrientes foram determinados. As plantas de helicônia apresentaram desenvolvimento lento, mas a partir dos 210 dias do plantio, época que corresponde ao início da colheita das hastes, houve aumento acentuado no acúmulo de massa seca da planta. O acúmulo de nutrientes seguiu a ordem decrescente: K > N = Ca > P = Mg > S > Fe = Mn > Zn > Cu = B. O potássio e o cálcio foram os macronutrientes mais exportados pelas hastes de helicônia e dentre os micronutrientes, o manganês foi o mais exportado. Palavras-chave: Heliconia psittacorum 'Red Opal', ciclagem de nutrientes, floricultura tropical.

Growth and nutrients content of heliconia under mineral fertilization

“…Stem length and diameter, length of inflorescence, postharvest durability and carbohydrate content in flower stems are important characteristics for postharvest and commercialization of heliconia; therefore, covering the deficiencies of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium is necessary (Castro et al, 2011). Starting the reproductive phase fertilization with nitrogen and potassium should be intensified to satisfy the need of the plant to ensure the vegetative growth and nutrients exported by the plant (Taniguchi et al, 2016).…”

“…The return of the leaf blades to the cultivation area is completing a cycle around 82% N, 57% P, 42% K, 68% Ca, 63% Mg, 81% S, 62% Cu, 30 % Fe, 34% Zn, 11% Mn and 53% B exported by the plant (flower stems + leaves). The availability of nutrients in this vegetable waste depends on the abiotic factors and the activity of the microorganisms in the soil (Taniguchi et al, 2016). The heliconia rhizome is a main organ for the storage of nutrients and is strongly influenced by environmental factors and nutrients available in the soil.…”

“…This crop, as well as the roots and tubers, show a clear supply competition between the vegetative growth of the rhizomes and the growth of the storage tissue during some periods after the beginning of the storage growth (Castro et al, 2011). Based on this claim, heliconia fertilization management should be planned to provide sufficient amounts of nutrients to allow the rapid development of the root system and establishment of the plant in the field (Taniguchi et al, 2016).…”

“…In general, N, P and K improve the vegetative growth and yield of floral stems and rhizomes (Goh et al, 2018) In this ornamental species, fertilizers are required to be applied in correct doses (Stewart et al, 2005) and distributed or adjusted to the requirements of the plant in each phase of growth and development (Gowda et al, 1988). Since high amounts are sometimes applied to achieve higher yield (Sushma et al, 2013), it is also necessary to define the moment of application of fertilizers (Taniguchi et al, 2016). All of the above conditions are essential to obtain commercial quality flower stems (Ruppenthal and Castro, 2005).…”

“…During this research, low doses of fertilization were applied based on other researches that state the possibility of the nutrient cycle could reduce the entry of fertilizer, reducing production costs and the environmental risks associated with its unnecessary application (Taniguchi et al, 2016). The application of chemical fertilizer can be considered as a complement to the application of organic fertilizers: in this way satisfy the nutritional requirements of the crop minimizing production costs and reducing the environmental impact (Linares-Gabriel et al, 2017;Linares-Gabriel et al, 2018).…”