Effects of substrates and cultivars on growth, yield and flower quality of potted lisianthus [Eustoma grandiflorum (Raf.) Shinners] in Ho Chi Minh City

Abstract

Lisianthus cultivars are known for their variety of color, size and shape, especially the development of heat tolerant lisianthus for potted ornamentals. The objective of this study was to determine the suitable substrate for good growth and development of some lisianthus cultivars under conditions in Ho Chi Minh City. The two - factor experiment was arranged in a split-plot design with four replications. Factor A (main plot) included three cultivars (Rosita Pink Picotee, Rosita Jade and Rosita Pure White) and factor B (sub-plot) included three substrates (40% coco peat + 60% carbonized rice husk, 40% coco peat + 40% carbonized rice husk + 20% vermicompost và 40% coco peat + 40% carbonized rice husk + 20% cow manure). The results showed that different cultivars of lisianthus significantly affected growth, yield and flower quality. Rosita Jade lisianthus grown on the substrate 40% coco peat + 40% carbonized rice husk + 20% cow manure showed the highest plant height (43.6 cm) and the most number of leaves (43.5 pairs of leaves/plant). Additionally, the application of the substrate 40% coco peat + 40% carbonized rice husk + 20% vermicompost or 40% coco peat + 40% carbonized rice husk + 20% cow manure showed better growth, yield and flower quality of lisianthus compared to 40% coco peat + 60% carbonized rice husk. However, the interaction between cultivar and substrate did not significantly affect lisianthus in terms of number of branches, stem diameter, number of buds, number of flowers, flower diameter and flower longevity.