Supplementary Light with Increased Blue Fraction Accelerates Emergence and Improves Development of the Inflorescence in Aechmea, Guzmania and Vriesea

In protected cultivation, increasing the light level via supplementary lighting (SL) is critical to improve external quality, especially in periods with low light availability. Despite wide applications, the effect of light quality remains understated. In this study, the effect of SL quality and nutrient solution electrical conductivity (EC) on growth and flowering of three bromeliad species was investigated. Treatments included solar light, and this supplemented with R90B10 [90% red (R) and 10% blue (B)], R80B20 (80% R and 20% B), and R70B30 (70% R and 30% B). These were combined with an EC of 1 and 2 dS m-l. Irrespective of the light treatment, the higher EC promoted growth, inflorescence emergence, and development in Aechmea fasciata (Lindl.) Baker, whereas adverse effects were noted in Guzmania and Vriesea. The higher EC-induced negative effect in Guzmania and Vriesea was slightly alleviated by SL. With few notable exceptions, SL exerted limited effects on photosynthetic functionality. Depending on the species, SL improved external quality traits. In all species, SL increased root and inflorescence weight and stimulated biomass allocation to generative organs. It also accelerated inflorescence emergence and promoted inflorescence development. In this way, the time to commercial development stage was considerably shortened. These effects were more prominent at R80B20 and R70B30. Under those conditions, for instance, inflorescence emergence occurred 3–5 weeks earlier than in the control, depending on the species. In conclusion, SL with increased B proportion leads to shorter production period owing to faster emergence and improved development of the inflorescence and is recommended for commercial use.

Analysis of Phytotelmata As Breeding Site Aedes spp. in Sidoarjo East Java

Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) is a disease that is a problem in Indonesia, especially East Java. Sidoarjo is one of the city with high DHF cases in East Java with a total cases until 1,708 in 2016. One of the factors that support the increase in DHF cases is the availability of breeding site of Aedes. Research about breeding sites of Aedes in plants is limited. Vector control is often carried out only to ponds, air containers, and other artificial breeding sites, while in nature there are many plants that can to used breeding site such as phytotelmata. Phytotelmata are plants that can hold water in one of their bodies. This study aimed to determine the diversity of types and types of phytothelium, the physical condition of the water collected in the phytothelium and the Aedes species found in the phytotelmata. This research used descriptive observational. Determination of the sampling point using purposive sampling method. The results showed that there were eight species of phytotelmata which were used as breeding site for Aedes spp. in Sidoarjo, namely Musa paradisiaca, Pandanus amaryllifolius, Cocos nucifera, Neoregelia spectabilis, Bambusa sp. Neoregelia charm, Aechmea fasciata, and Xanthosoma sagittifolium. The Aedes species found were mostly Ae. albopictus. The average of air volume of the phytotelmata is 95.84 ml with water temperatures is 25-26oC and water pH is 6-7.

Effect of calcium fertilization on silver vase bromeliad (Aechmea fasciata)

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of calcium on growth and development of silver vase bromeliad (Aechmea fasciata). Plants were fertilized three times a week with nutrient solutions formulated with HA solution (Hoagland and Arnon, 1950) modified with 0.25, 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10.0 or 12.5 mM Ca applied into the tank. After 90 days of experimentation, biometric and biomass measurements of root and shoot systems, and chemical analysis of leaves were assessed. The results showed that the concentration of 12.5 mM Ca in nutrient solution is recommended for silver vase bromeliad fertilization.

Constitutive Expression of Aechmea fasciata SPL14 (AfSPL14) Accelerates Flowering and Changes the Plant Architecture in Arabidopsis

Variations in flowering time and plant architecture have a crucial impact on crop biomass and yield, as well as the aesthetic value of ornamental plants. Aechmea fasciata, a member of the Bromeliaceae family, is a bromeliad variety that is commonly cultivated worldwide. Here, we report the characterization of AfSPL14, a squamosa promoter binding protein-like gene in A. fasciata. AfSPL14 was predominantly expressed in the young vegetative organs of adult plants. The expression of AfSPL14 could be upregulated within 1 h by exogenous ethephon treatment. The constitutive expression of AfSPL14 in Arabidopsis thaliana caused early flowering and variations in plant architecture, including smaller rosette leaves and thicker and increased numbers of main inflorescences. Our findings suggest that AfSPL14 may help facilitate the molecular breeding of A. fasciata, other ornamental and edible bromeliads (e.g., pineapple), and even cereal crops.

Growth of Aechmea fasciata plants in function of substrate base saturation and fertirrigation methods

Bromeliads are plants that have a high variability in the fertilization possibilities. Bromeliads are plants that have a high variability in the fertilization possibilities. This is due to the capacity of absorption of water and nutrients by their foliar trichomes and root system. This research was conducted with the objective to evaluate the development of Aechmea fasciata plants according to the substrate base saturation and the application methods of the nutritive solution. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse with light intensity between 8,000 and 9,000 Lx. The experimental design was a randomized block design with a factorial statistical arrangement 2x5 factorial (2 percentages of substrate base saturation x 5 combinations between the methods of fertirrigation) with 4 repetitions and 7 plants by portion. The substrate base saturation (V%) established was from 20% to 40% and the fertirrigation was provided by a leaf cistern and directly in the substrate, following these proportions: 100% leaf cistern, 75% leaf cistern and 25% substrate, 50% leaf cistern and 50% substrate, 25% leaf cistern and 75% substrate and 100% substrate. The plants were conducted in vase number 11, 15 and 17, and in each change of vases, it was evaluated the plant height, the rosette diameter, the stalk diameter, the number of leaves and the leaf width. The dry phytomass and leaf area were determined in the vase changes 15 and 17. Moreover, the root exploration and the inclination degree of the plants were determined in the end of the cultivation in vase 17. As conclusion, substrate base saturation greater than 20% damages the growth of Aechmea fasciata plants. The best development of the aerial and root part of Aechmea fasciata plants were achieved when 75% of the nutritive solution is applied via cistern and 25% via substrate.