The influence of irrigation system and nutrient solution concentration on potted geranium production under various conditions of radiation and temperature

Zonal geranium (Pelargonium × hortorum ‘Real Mintaka’) were grown in closed soilless systems to evaluate the effects of irrigation system (drip and subirrigation) and nutrient solution concentration (half and full) under various conditions of radiation and temperature (winter and summer) in terms of substrate electrical conductivity (ECs), growth, quality, crop evapotranspiration (ETc) and growth index water use efficiency (WUEGI) and nutrient uptake. At he end of the cultural cycle the highest ECs in the upper and lower layers were recorded in the spring season on plants grown in subirrigation using a full nutrient solution concentration. The highest shoot biomass, leaf area, plant growth index, and quality index were recorded in the winter season on plants grown in both drip-irrigation and subirrigation using half and full nutrient solution concentration, whereas the lowest value was observed in the spring season on plants grown with subirrigation using the full nutrient solution concentration. The highest maximum air temperature recorded during the first 20 days after transplanting in the spring growing season was presumably responsible for the reduction in shoot biomass production, growth and quality index, and in time of geranium flowering compared to the plants grown in the winter season. The ETc was 44% higher in spring than in winter season treatment, while the effect of the irrigation system was less pronounced with an increase in 11% in the subirrigation treatment compared with the drip-irrigation system. WUEGI was not stable and showed a seasonal variability. Solar radiaton (Rs), air temperature (Ta) and vapour pressure deficit (VPD) were greatly higher in the spring season, which influenced WUEGI negatively. The WUEGI improved especially when Rs, Ta and VPD were below 12 MJ m2, 20 °C and 0.6 kPa, respectively. The highest N, and Mg uptake were recorded in the winter season, especially on plants grown with subirrigation at 2 dS m−1. The highest P, K, and Ca uptake values were measured during winter season using subirrigation system, and on plants grown under full strength nutrient solution. The variation of the nitrate concentration and EC in the nutrient solution during the spring growing cycle was less pronounced in the subirrigation than with a drip-irrigation system which represents an important aspect for the simplification of the closed loop management of the nutrient solution.