The Effects of Different Growing Media on Growth, Flowering and Quality of Petunia grandiflora

Abstract

potted petunia plants (Petunia grandiflora Juss.) under green house condition. A total of 30 potted petunia plants wereused in this experiment and five different growing media namely top soil (control), vermicompost, biochar, cocopeatand peatmoss were tested. Leaf area, lateral branching, stomatal conductance and net photosynthetic rate significantlyincreased when the plant was grown in peatmoss and cocopeat. The highest length of lateral branch was recorded in thecontrol treatment. In addition, peatmoss and cocopeat medium increased the number of flower, flower diameter, weightof individual flower and petal thickness significantly. Furthermore, chlorophyll a & b contents in leaves, carotenoidsand anthocyanin content in flowers were also increased significantly with peatmoss and cocopeat applications. Ethyleneproduction was reduced significantly and flower longevity of potted petunia plants increased in different growing media.There was a positive correlation between petal thickness and flower senescence, and between anthocyanin content withflower senescence in potted petunia plants. It can be concluded that peatmoss and cocopeat growing media improved thegrowth, quality and longevity of potted petunia flowers under green house condition.