Malays. Appl. Biol. (2005) 34(1): 71-74
GROWTH AND FLOWERING RESPONSES OF FOUR TULIP
CULTIVARS TO ROOTZONE TEMPERATURE UNDER
AEROPONIC SYSTEM
THOHIRAH, L.A.1*, JOHARI, E.2, CHIN, F.L.S.1 and LEE, C.Y.3 '
1Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture,
2 Department of Process and Food Engineering,
Faculty of Engineering, University Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang Selangor, Malaysia.
3Sime Aerogreen Technology Sdn. Bhd., Seremban, Negeri Sembilan.
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
ABSTRAK
Kesan tiga suhu zon akar terhadap pertumbuhan dan pembungaan empat kultivar Tulipa gesneriana varied Christmas Marvel, Hollandia, Leen Van Der Mark dan Yokohama telah dikaji dengan penanaman secara 'aeroponic'. Suhi zon akar telah dikawal pada 10°C, 14°C and 18°C manakala pertumbuhan bahagian atas adalah didedahkan kepada suhu ambient dalam julat suhu 23°C ke 40°C. Bebawang tulip yang telah dirawat berbunga dengan berjayanya untuk dua daripada empat kultivar yang dikaji. Kajian ini membuktikan setiap kultivar bertindak secara berbeza ke atas suhu zon akar yang berbeza. Kultivar Hollandia dan Yokohama menunjukkan pertumbuhan dengan panjang yang sesuai dan pembungaan yang baik dan adalah rentan terhadap suhu tinggi. Kultivar Leen Van Der Mark dan Christmas Marvel pula tidak menunjukkan prestasi yang baik dan ia sangat peka dan sensitive kepada suhu. Diamete: bunga juga bergantung kepada cultivar. Kultivar Hollandia mempunyai diameter bunga 5.3cm diikuti dengan cultivai Yokohama dengan 3.7cm. Kualiti bunga yang baik adalah diperhatikan pada suhu 10°C. Kajian ini menunjukkan bahawa ia adalah mungkin untuk menanam kultivar bunga tulip yang rentan terhadap suhu di negara tropika melalui manipulasi suhu zon akar.
ABSTRACT
The effects of three rootzone temperatures on the growth and flowering of four tulip cultivars of Tulipa gesneriano namely Christmas Marvel, Hollandia, Leen Van Der Mark and Yokohama were studied using an aeroponic system. The rootzone temperatures were controlled at 10°C, 14°C and 18°C while the top growth are subjected to ambienl day temperatures ranging from 23°C to 40°C. Cured bulbs flowered successfully for two of the four cultivars tested. The results showed that different cultivars responded differently to different rootzone temperatures. Cultivar Hollandia and Yokohama performed the best with suitable plant height and flowering. The two cultivars mentioned are alsc more heat tolerant as compared to cultivar Christmas Marvel which is very heat sensitve. Flower diameter was found to be influence by cultivars instead of rootzone temperature. Cultivar Hollandia has the largest flower diameter ol 5.3cm whereas Yokohama at 3.7cm. Flower quality tends to be the best at trough temperature of 10°C. The study indicated that it is possible to grow tulips with manipulation of the rootzone temperature and selected heat tolerant cultivar under aeroponic system. Thus, the study can serve as a platform for greenhouse production of tulips in our local climate.
Key words: tulips, aerophonic system, flowering, rootzone temperature
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