INFLUENCE OF PARTIAL SHADES ON MORPHO-PHYSIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF POTTED ANTHURIUM

Abstract

A pot experiment was conducted to find out the morpho-physiological characteristics of anthurium under shade condition at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, during the period from April 2013 to February 2014. Five anthurium varieties viz. V1 (Pink anthurium), V2 (White pink anthurium), V3 (White anthurium), V4 (Light anthurium) and V5 (Green red anthurium) were grown under three light intensities (L0, Control or full sun; L1, 40% reduced light; L2, 60% reduced light). The experiment was carried out in split-plot design with four replications. The highest plant height (34.4 cm) and flower stalk length (29.1 cm) were found from V1, whereas the lowest was from V5. Maximum spathe length (9.6 cm), spathe breadth (8.3 cm), number of flowers/plant (6.4) and highest vase life (26.7 days) were also found from V3, while minimum results for these characters were obtained in V5. Among the light intensities, maximum result of all attributes were recorded from L2 (60% reduced light) whereas minimum in L0. Results also revealed that leaf area and SPAD value were positive relation with anthurium flower yield. Maximum number of flowers (8.3) was obtained from V3 under 60% reduced light and minimum in V2 under full sunlight. Overall, V3 (White anthurium) is the best variety for flowering and 60% reduced light was the most suitable shade condition for its cultivation. Combination of these two also produced the best results.