Abstract

FLORES-ALMARAZ, R. et al. Production of cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum Mill.) seedlings in coconut coir dust based substrates. Rev. Chapingo Ser.Hortic [online]. 2008, vol.14, n.3, pp.309-318. ISSN 2007-4034.

As for many ornamental crops in Mexico, forest soil and peat moss are commonly used as substrates for cyclamen production. It is important to find substitutes for both to protect forests and to avoid imports of peat moss. Cyclamen seedlings emerge 30 days after sowing (das) and usually the percentage of emergence is low. To improve the percentage and time to emergence, this study was carried out to test coconut coir dust (CCD) as a substrate. Cyclamen seedlings were produced and the following factors were evaluated: seed soaking (with and without), substrates (peat moss, washed CCD, unwashed CCD and CCD+ peat moss) and genotype (six series) in a factorial treatment combination in a randomized complete blocks design with three replications. Soaking seeds 24 hours before sowing did not affect percentage of emergence but did shorten time to seedling emergence by 1.5 and 2.3 days on average in substrates composed of washed and not washed CCD, respectively, and shortens the time to seedling emergence for Giant Lugano, Pannevis^® and Halios^® by 3.7, 1.0 and 1.1 days, respectively. Those seedlings that reached establishment emerged before 37 days. The shortest period of time for seedling emergence and the highest percentage of seedling establishment were obtained with substrates having water retention capacity of 75 and 82%. The physical and chemical characteristics of CCD allows its use in formulating substrates for cyclamen seedlings since it has characteristics similar o superior to peat moss or commercial substrates that contain it. Differences were found among the studied genotypes in terms of seedling emergence and establishment, growth rate and biomass production.

Keywords : seed soaking; growth; dry matter; Cocus nucifera.

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