Metodologias para monitoramento nutricional de gérbera cultivada em substrato

This study aimed to assess methodologies for the nutritional monitoring of gerbera cultivated on substrate. The experiment was carried out in greenhouse, in Botucatu (22°51’S and 48°26’W), Sao Paulo State, Brazil. Five substrate formulations were used and two gerbera cultivars, Red and Cherry, were transplanted to 1-liter pots. Electrical conductivity (EC) and pH of the substrate solution were determined at 1, 15, 29, 43 and 50 days after acclimation (DAA) by adopting the methodologies “pourthru”, dilution of 1:2 (substrate volume/water volume) and dilution of 1:5 (substrate mass /water volume). For the dilution methods, the substrate was removed from the pots, separated from the roots, homogenized and air dried before analysis. In each assessment, 40 pots were used. Linear correlations established among the methodologies were obtained according to the Pearson’s method. EC values of the substrate solution were higher when the method “pourthru” was used due to the lower sample dilution and the nature of the solution displacement in the container. Significant correlations validate the methods while for periodic monitoring, nutritional analysis and eventual correction can be more effectively done by adopting the method “pourthru” since the displacement of the substrate solution using the non-destructive method reduces the costs and accelerates the response.