Articles
LEAF DISTINCTIVE FEATURES AND PRODUCTION OF LEATHERLEAF FERN GROWN IN GREENHOUSE UNDER DIFFERENT SHADING LEVELS
Article number
614_77
Pages
521 – 526
Language
English
Abstract
Plants of leatherleaf fern (Rumohra adiantiformis (G. Forst.) Ching) were grown for 20 months in a greenhouse (min.
T = 4°C) without shading or with nets excluding 44 or 72% of PAR trasmitted by glass cover.
A whitewashing of glass cover was accomplished in May and was effective in reducing PAR level inside the greenhouse until late August.
Harvest of leaves was accomplished monthly for 16 months; cut foliage production and leaf distinctive features were evaluated.
Monthly and total yield of leaves decreased with the increase of shading level; production of leaves was abundant from mid-spring to mid-autumn.
Leaf petiole, blade length and blade area increased with shading.
Narrower leaves were produced on unshaded plants.
No difference was recorded for internode length.
Fresh weight, thickness and specific dry weight of leaves decreased when shading increased.
Leaf colour was lighter under 72% shading.
During postharvest no premature wilting of leaves was observed and vase life was 24 days at least; when leaves were harvested in summer, not in spring, best performances were showed with a 72% shading.
Results suggest how to regulate the shading level inside the greenhouse during the year to obtain best quantitative and qualitative production levels.
T = 4°C) without shading or with nets excluding 44 or 72% of PAR trasmitted by glass cover.
A whitewashing of glass cover was accomplished in May and was effective in reducing PAR level inside the greenhouse until late August.
Harvest of leaves was accomplished monthly for 16 months; cut foliage production and leaf distinctive features were evaluated.
Monthly and total yield of leaves decreased with the increase of shading level; production of leaves was abundant from mid-spring to mid-autumn.
Leaf petiole, blade length and blade area increased with shading.
Narrower leaves were produced on unshaded plants.
No difference was recorded for internode length.
Fresh weight, thickness and specific dry weight of leaves decreased when shading increased.
Leaf colour was lighter under 72% shading.
During postharvest no premature wilting of leaves was observed and vase life was 24 days at least; when leaves were harvested in summer, not in spring, best performances were showed with a 72% shading.
Results suggest how to regulate the shading level inside the greenhouse during the year to obtain best quantitative and qualitative production levels.
Publication
Authors
C. Cervelli, S. Castello, P.G. Fadelli
Keywords
Leatherleaf fern, shading, cut foliage, leaf yield, leaf morphology, vase life
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