Performance of Anthurium (Anthurium Andreanum Lind.) Cultivars Under Different Systems of Growing in Humid Tropical Plains

Anthurium (Anthurium andreanum Lind.) as a cut flower and pot plant has been an opted choice for diversification under polyhouse cultivation. Economic feasibility of production indicated it to be highly profitable and economically viable. However, use of cost effective methods appeared to cut down the erection costs of structures by 50 %. Therefore, studies were conducted on four anthurium cultivars namely, Tropical, Pistache, Mauritius Orange and Passion, to ascertain the influence of four different types of growing structures on growth and quality of flowers. The treatments varied significantly showing the response of different cultivars and the growing systems. The low cost structure with UV stabilized shade net to divert 75% light intensity and UV stabilized polyethylene film (120 gsm) on top to provide protection from rainfall and sides covered with 25% of shade nets and with irrigation facilities at a cost of construction of Rs. 300/m² was found suitable for growing anthurium in tropical plains. Low cost structure was superior in terms of plant height (18.06cm), plant spread (22.49cm) and leaf area (65.30cm). Cultivars Pistache was the best in terms of plant spread (22.41cm), leaf number (5.68) and leaf area (80.22cm²). In case of cultivars which flowered regularly, the time taken for first flowering was the shortest in Pistache (65.67 day). Leaf longevity was higher in Pistache (163.32 day) compared to Tropical (152.43 day).