Assessment of substrates for economical production of gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii Bolus ex Hooker F.) flowers under protected cultivation

The experiment was carried out in pot culture in simple polyhouse with a wooden framework and shade net without fan and pad cooling system. The different substrates assessed were coco peat, peat, soilrite, perlite, vermi compost and compost in various combinations. The economics of the media substrate per plant per pot was calculated as per the prevailing retail market rates of the substrates and the flower yield returns were calculated as per the rates in the wholesale market. The flower returns depended on both flower quality and quantity. Coco peat combined with compost (1:1) and cocopeat (60%) + perlite (20%) + rice husk (20%) produced flowers with the highest net returns (Rs. 28.77 and 28.76, respective). The substrates, coco peat and vermicompost were found to be cheaper and produced comparatively bright coloured flowers. All the coco peat combinations were found to be cheaper than the peat combinations for better yield and quality flowers. Though, all the different substrate media treatments were costly as compared to the control consisting of garden soil only, the income obtained in terms of the flower yield compensated the high substrate cost.