Mineral nutrient requirements and effects of CO2 enrichment on Gerbera microcuttings

The effects of CO2 concentration (350 and 1200 mu mol mol(-1)), growing med ia (peat + perlite, 3:1, peat + coco dust, 1:1; and coco dust alone), and c oncentration of nutrient solution (EC 2.1 and 2.8 mS cm(-1)) on growth of g erbera microcuttings, leaf nutrient content, and the chemical properties of the growing media were investigated. Plants grown in peat + coco dust had the highest dry weights of leaves and roots. There were no significant diff erences in the fresh and dry weights of leaves and roots due to concentrati on of nutrient solution. CO2 enrichment increased all growth variables, exc ept leaf number. Leaf nutrient content of gerbera cuttings and chemical pro perties of growing media after eight weeks of growth, with reference to all treatments, are discussed and presented as tables.