Articles
RELATIONSHIPS OF CULTURE AND SHIPPING TEMPERATURE ON INTERIOR QUALITY OF FICUS BENJAMINA
Article number
181_30
Pages
245 – 250
Language
Abstract
Ficus benjamina L. were grown in a polypropylene fabric covered shadehouse receiving light levels of 312, 587 or 862 μmol s-1m-2 maximum and fertilizer levels of 10, 20 or 30 g/20 cm diameter pot/3 months from 19–6–12 Osmocote® (19N-2.6P-10K) slow release fertilizer.
After 1 year, best plants were produced with the highest fertilizer level at 587 or 862 μmol s-1m-2 maximum.
After 28 days simulated shipping in the dark at 10, 13, 16 or 19°C, plants were placed in an interior environment of 25±1°C, relative humidity of 60± 10% and a light level of 15 μmol s-1m-2 from cool white fluorescent lamps 12 hours/day.
Accumulated leaf drop was determined and plants graded after 60 days in the interior environment.
Plant grades increased with increasing fertilizer and decreased as light level decreased from 862 to 312 μmol s-1m-2 even though leaf drop was greater at 862 μmol s-1m-2. Shipping temperature influenced both plant grade and leaf drop, with 13 or 16°C resulting in highest grade and lowest percent leaf drop.
After 1 year, best plants were produced with the highest fertilizer level at 587 or 862 μmol s-1m-2 maximum.
After 28 days simulated shipping in the dark at 10, 13, 16 or 19°C, plants were placed in an interior environment of 25±1°C, relative humidity of 60± 10% and a light level of 15 μmol s-1m-2 from cool white fluorescent lamps 12 hours/day.
Accumulated leaf drop was determined and plants graded after 60 days in the interior environment.
Plant grades increased with increasing fertilizer and decreased as light level decreased from 862 to 312 μmol s-1m-2 even though leaf drop was greater at 862 μmol s-1m-2. Shipping temperature influenced both plant grade and leaf drop, with 13 or 16°C resulting in highest grade and lowest percent leaf drop.
Authors
C.A. Conover, R.T. Poole
Keywords
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