Full Text Available

Note: Clicking the button above will open the full text document at the original institutional repository in a new window.

A study of greenhouse production techniques for evergreen disas

Thesis (MScAgric (Agronomy)--University of Stellenbosch, 2005.

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Pienaar, D.
Other Authors: Combrink, N. J. J.
Format: Thesis
Language:English
Published: Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch 2008
Subjects:
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1867614071228989440
access_status_str Open Access
author Pienaar, D.
author2 Combrink, N. J. J.
author_browse Combrink, N. J. J.
Pienaar, D.
author_facet Combrink, N. J. J.
Pienaar, D.
author_sort Pienaar, D.
collection Thesis
dc_rights_str_mv University of Stellenbosch
description Thesis (MScAgric (Agronomy)--University of Stellenbosch, 2005.
format Thesis
id oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/3042
institution Stellenbosch University (South Africa)
language English
last_indexed 2026-06-10T12:46:11.731Z
license_str Other — see source repository
provenance_str_mv Harvested via OAI-PMH from SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository
publishDate 2008
publishDateRange 2008
publishDateSort 2008
publisher Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
publisherStr Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
record_format dspace
source_str SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository
spelling oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/3042 A study of greenhouse production techniques for evergreen disas Pienaar, D. Combrink, N. J. J. Dissertations -- Agriculture Theses -- Agriculture Dissertations -- Agronomy Theses -- Agronomy Orchids Greenhouse management Greenhouse plants Disas Thesis (MScAgric (Agronomy)--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. The seven evergreen Disa species are indigenous to South Africa. These orchids grow on mountain ranges subject to winter rainfall and are found on stream banks, around waterfalls and in other damp areas. Although the Disa genus accommodates more than 130 species, by far the most commonly grown is Disa uniflora and hybrids stemming from this species. Disas have great potential as cut flowers and pot plants, but production techniques need to be further investigated since cultivation methods vary greatly between hobbyists. This study evaluated the effect of N-source, shading, root medium temperature, electrical conductivity (EC), irrigation method, foliar feeding at different plant growth stages and substrate on the growth of evergreen Disa hybrids in a controlled environment. Results showed that Disa plants can be classified as being ammonium tolerant. Disa unidiorosa performed best with 40% of the applied N in the NH4 form, while D.kewensis was more tolerant towards a higher level of NH4 and grew best at 60% NH4. Shading levels (56% and 69%) were compared and did not differ regarding the growth of plants. A cooled root medium was found to have a negative effect on root growth and a positive effect on leaf length. High EC levels produced heavier mother plants with a bigger root:shoot ratio and a bigger stem diameter. Biomass accumulation was the best in plants receiving ‘Drip’ irrigation, compared to ‘Ebb-and-Flood’ irrigation treatments. Plants in the vegetative reproducing stage were more susceptible to leaf abscission and new leaves formed at a low rate compared to small- and potential flowering plants. Where foliar feeding is concerned plants seemed to benefit more by the presence of NH4NO3 than urea. There were no significant differences in root development between substrates in the ‘hardening-off’ phase. ‘Hydroton’ (clay pebbles) was not suitable as substrate for the cultivation of Disa plants. The growth and flowering properties of plants were optimal with sphagnum moss and peat but were negatively affected when the pH of acid peat:sand mixtures were increased. More research is needed before Disas can be cultivated on a commercial scale, while the effect of the treatments on flowering properties has to be investigated. Masters 2008-07-24T09:24:12Z 2010-06-01T09:04:48Z 2008-07-24T09:24:12Z 2010-06-01T09:04:48Z 2005-03 Thesis http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/3042 en University of Stellenbosch application/pdf Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
spellingShingle Dissertations -- Agriculture
Theses -- Agriculture
Dissertations -- Agronomy
Theses -- Agronomy
Orchids
Greenhouse management
Greenhouse plants
Disas
Pienaar, D.
A study of greenhouse production techniques for evergreen disas
title A study of greenhouse production techniques for evergreen disas
title_full A study of greenhouse production techniques for evergreen disas
title_fullStr A study of greenhouse production techniques for evergreen disas
title_full_unstemmed A study of greenhouse production techniques for evergreen disas
title_short A study of greenhouse production techniques for evergreen disas
title_sort study of greenhouse production techniques for evergreen disas
topic Dissertations -- Agriculture
Theses -- Agriculture
Dissertations -- Agronomy
Theses -- Agronomy
Orchids
Greenhouse management
Greenhouse plants
Disas
url http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/3042
work_keys_str_mv AT pienaard astudyofgreenhouseproductiontechniquesforevergreendisas
AT pienaard studyofgreenhouseproductiontechniquesforevergreendisas