WATER AVAILABILITY AND PRODUCTION OF POTTED ALSTROEMERIA IN GREENHOUSE

The amount of available water in the substrate is one of the most important factors for the growth and development of potted ornamental species. The aim of the present study was to determine the water consumption of Alstroemeria x hybrid variety Firenze when submitted to different irrigation levels and to assess their effects on production factors. The experiment was carried out under controlled conditions of temperature at Colégio Politécnico of Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Rhizomes of Alstroemeria x hybrid variety Firenze were transplanted into 20 liters rigid black plastic pots filled with substrate. Five treatments (90%, 75%, 60%, 45%, and 30% of container capacity) with 10 repetitions were arranged in a completely randomized design. The production components height and flowering stem diameter, number of flowers per stem, and stem fresh and dry matter content were evaluated over a year of production. Our results demonstrated an increase in water consumption as water availability increased, interfering with the production parameters, except for the number of flowers per stem and flower stems diameter.