Comparative studies on growth and cut flowers production of gerbera under naturally ventilated polyhouse and low cost greenhouse in north eastern plains of Uttar Pradesh

In an investigation was carried out to assess the performance of two conditions (naturally ventilated polyhouse and low cost greenhouse) with respect to growth and flowering of 10 gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii) cultivars during rainy and winter seasons of 2009–10 and 2010–11. It was revealed that growth, flowering characters and vaselife were found to be significantly higher in the plants grown under naturally ventilated polyhouse. At naturally ventilated polyhouse conditions resulted in an increased flower diameter (8.2 and 12.6%), number of the ray florets (6.5 and 5.9%), stalk length (26.4 and 25.8%), stalk diameter (10.2 and 12.7%) and vase-life (13.2 and 13.9%) over those grown under low cost greenhouse conditions in rainy and winter seasons, respectively. Among the cultivars, maximum growth, flowering characteristic and vase-life was noticed in Silvester followed by Salvadore, which was significantly higher than other cultivars, while it was minimum in Zingaro. A significant increase in flower diameter (12.5 and 15.7%), numbers of ray florets (63.6 and 61.5%), stalk length (19.1 and 18.5%), stalk diameter (39.5 and 37.5%) and vase-life (22.5 and 20.7%) was recorded over the cultivar performing at the lowest in rainy and winter seasons, respectively.