Effects of shading on Myrtus communis L. growth and cut green production In order to obtain preliminary observation on growth and quality of Myrtus communis L. plants for cut green production under low light intensity, different shading nets with different optical characteristics have been evaluated to study and compare their effects on the entire life cycle of the plants. Polyethylene shading nets with a light intensity reduction of 25, 50 and 75% were employed; a control, not shaded treatment was also used. To define growth rhythm during the experiment, some parameters have been measured: leaf and stem fresh and dry weight, leaf area, plant width and shoot length. Subsequently, a growth analysis has been carried out, calculating net assimilation rate (NAR), relative growth rate (RGR) and leaf area ratio (LAR). Post-harvest parameters have been also measured: duration of shoots, fresh weight loss, chlorophyll content (at the beginning and at the end of post-harvest experiment), and water use. Shading led to marked effects on plant growth, which was strictly dependent on growing period (spring or summer). During early growth stages in summer, significant differences among treatments have been noticed only at the end of the experiment. Reducing light intensity by 50% led to the best height and the highest leaf area, but the highest shoot length was obtained with the 75% shading net. Moreover, leaf and total dry weight were strictly and significantly associated with leaf area expansion. In spring, shading net effects partially differed from summer’s results. In fact, the best plant performance has been obtained with 25% shading net, while 75% shading net led to a pronounced growth reduction. Regarding to shoot quality, shading conditions linearly rise up chlorophyll content and, of course, leaf colour. Shoot shelf-life was directly correlated with shading conditions: in fact, relative weight increment decreased when shading increased; moreover, this situation was more pronounced during shoot ageing.

Effetti dell’ombreggiamento sulla produzione di mirto da fronda recisa

VERNIERI, PAOLO;MALORGIO, FERNANDO;
2006-01-01

Abstract

Effects of shading on Myrtus communis L. growth and cut green production In order to obtain preliminary observation on growth and quality of Myrtus communis L. plants for cut green production under low light intensity, different shading nets with different optical characteristics have been evaluated to study and compare their effects on the entire life cycle of the plants. Polyethylene shading nets with a light intensity reduction of 25, 50 and 75% were employed; a control, not shaded treatment was also used. To define growth rhythm during the experiment, some parameters have been measured: leaf and stem fresh and dry weight, leaf area, plant width and shoot length. Subsequently, a growth analysis has been carried out, calculating net assimilation rate (NAR), relative growth rate (RGR) and leaf area ratio (LAR). Post-harvest parameters have been also measured: duration of shoots, fresh weight loss, chlorophyll content (at the beginning and at the end of post-harvest experiment), and water use. Shading led to marked effects on plant growth, which was strictly dependent on growing period (spring or summer). During early growth stages in summer, significant differences among treatments have been noticed only at the end of the experiment. Reducing light intensity by 50% led to the best height and the highest leaf area, but the highest shoot length was obtained with the 75% shading net. Moreover, leaf and total dry weight were strictly and significantly associated with leaf area expansion. In spring, shading net effects partially differed from summer’s results. In fact, the best plant performance has been obtained with 25% shading net, while 75% shading net led to a pronounced growth reduction. Regarding to shoot quality, shading conditions linearly rise up chlorophyll content and, of course, leaf colour. Shoot shelf-life was directly correlated with shading conditions: in fact, relative weight increment decreased when shading increased; moreover, this situation was more pronounced during shoot ageing.
2006
Vernieri, Paolo; Magnani, G; Mugnai, S; Ferrante, A; Malorgio, Fernando; Serra, G.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11568/183241
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