Biomass Accumulation in the Fern Asplenium nidus avis (L) under Root Restriction

Abstract

Pot ornamental plant productivity is related to the environmental growth facilities but negatively affected by the pot root restriction syndrome. Most ferns showed a lower relative growth rate and long production cycles (24 months or more) for which growers use small pots to increase yield per unit area of greenhouse. The aim of this work was to analyze growth changes in response to different pot volume in plants of A. nidus avis spore-propagated under the hypothesis that it would play a role as an abiotic stress which decrease commercial productivity. Our results showed that the use of big pots increased fresh and dry weight and frond area (the main aesthetic trait). When growth parameters were performed, a higher the frond appearance rate (RLA), the frond area expansion (RLAE) and the frond thickness (SLA) were found in 1500 cm3 pot as well as the relative growth rate (RGR) and the net assimilation rate. The use of biggest pot for fern cropping stimulated biomass accumulation through a higher capacity to initiate and expand fronds, to increase photosynthetic rates and change photo assimilate partitioning which favor shoots. From the grower´s point of view, our results suggested that higher yields of A. nidus avis fern would be reached decreasing root restriction, that is, to use the biggest pot volume from the early transplant from plug trays.