Hydroponic chrysanthemum production: cultural and pathological issues

Area of Science:

• Horticultural Science
• Plant Pathology

Background:

• Soil culture remains dominant for greenhouse chrysanthemum production.
• Transitioning to hydroponics presents cultural and pathological hurdles.

Purpose of the Study:

• Investigate factors hindering hydroponic chrysanthemum cultivation.
• Identify solutions for common disorders like Pythium infection and salt wicking.

Main Methods:

• Evaluated hydroponic container variables (size, shape) and nutrient solution oxygenation.
• Assessed Pythium infection and salt wicking under different conditions.
• Tested seedling propagation methods for hydroponic transplanting.

Main Results:

• Chrysanthemum growth was unaffected by container size/shape or increased oxygenation.
• Rooting cuttings in polyethylene-covered hydroponics reduced wilting but exacerbated salt wicking.
• Pythium disease became severe in successive hydroponic crops.

Conclusions:

• Hydroponic system modifications alone did not resolve Pythium or salt wicking issues.
• Transplanting seedlings rooted in peat-based media effectively managed Pythium disease.