Effects of different substrates on growth and development of Globe amaranth (Gomphrena globosa L.)

 

Svjetlana Zeljković1*, Tanja Ećim2, Jelena Davidović Gidas1, Emina Mladenović3

 

1University of Banja Luka, Faculty of Agriculture, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

2City administration of Prijedor, Department of Traffic, Municipal Affairs, Environment and Legal Properties and Housing Affairs, Prijedor, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

3University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Agriculture, Novi Sad, Serbia.

 

Abstract

 

               Commercial substrates have the greatest application in the production of ornamental flowers. Depending on the species being produced, there is an adequate substrate for each production. Thanks to a wide range of commercial substrates, they can be completely adapted to the type of plants, and provide everything they need in the most sensitive stage of life, as well as in the later stages.

               The research is based on the possibilities and effectiveness of different substrates on growth and development of roots and above ground parts of the Globe amaranth (Gomphrena globosa L.), in the seedling phase and in the adult plant phase. The research was conducted in the "Gornja Puharska" Nursery in Prijedor during 2019. The substrates used in the experiment are the mixture of garden soil, Baltic, and peat from Grahovo, Hawitta baltisches UBI 20 Tonsubstrat 2, and Klasmann-Deilmann - TS3 Medium basic substrate. Measurements of morphological parameters of growth and development of plants (the plant height, number of leaves and flowers, and flower diameter) were performed, as well as determination of weight of fresh and dry roots and above ground parts and the number of seeds. Effect of medium basic substrate is reflected in an increase in the average value of vegetative morphological parameters (the plant height and number of leaves) of Globe amaranth seedlings and adult plants. Furthermore, this substrate had a positive effect on both fresh and dry mass of adult plants, as well as the number of obtained seeds, compared to the other two substrates. Efficiency of substrate comprising a mixture of garden soil, Baltic, and peat from Grahovo, is reflected in an increase in the average values of generative morphological parameters (the number of flowers and flower diameter) of the Globe amaranth - Gomphrena globosa L., compared to commercial substrates applied.

 

               Key words: substrate, Gomphrena globosa L., morphological parameters