Gibberellic Acid and Water Regime in the Flowering Induction of Brassocattleya and Cattleya Hybrid Orchids

CARDOSO JC; ONO EO; RODRIGUES JD. 2010. Gibberellic acid and water regime in the flowering induction of Brassocattleya and Cattleya hybrid orchids. Horticultura Brasileira 28: 395-398. Gibberellic acid and water regime in the flowering induction of Brassocattleya and Cattleya hybrid orchids Jean C Cardoso1; Elizabeth O Ono2; João D Rodrigues2 1Vliet Flora-Setor de Biotecnologia, C. Postal 170, 13825-000 Holambra-SP; 2UNESP-IBB, Depto. Botânica, Botucatu-SP; [email protected]; [email protected]

ABSTRACT RESUMO

The influence of gibberellic acid (GA3) and water regime was Ácido giberélico e regime hídrico na indução do florescimento evaluated in the flowering induction and quality of two orchid hybrids de orquídeas Brassocattleya e Cattleya híbridas belonging to the genera Cattleya (C.) and Brassocattleya (Bc.). The No presente trabalho foi avaliada a influência do ácido giberélico experiment was carried out in the Biotechnology and Orchid Culture e do regime hídrico na indução e qualidade do florescimento de duas Sector of Shunji Nishimura Technology Foundation, Pompéia, São orquídeas híbridas dos gêneros Cattleya (C.) e Brassocattleya (Bc.). O Paulo State, Brazil. Five GA3 concentrations (0, 125, 250, 500 and -1 experimento foi realizado no Setor de Biotecnologia e Orquidicultura 1,000 mg L ) were tested through four consecutive leaf applications da Fundação Shunji Nishimura de Tecnologia, Pompéia-SP. Foram in adult plants that had already flowered at least once, besides two testadas cinco concentrações de GA3 (0, 125, 250, 500 e 1.000 mg water conditions (one and four irrigations per week). Applications L-1) em quatro aplicações consecutivas via pulverização foliar, em were performed in October and November for Bc. Marcella Koss and plantas adultas que já haviam florescido ao menos uma vez, além de in January and February for C. Irene Holguin. Flowering could not duas condições hídricas (uma e quatro irrigações por semana). As be induced in the latter by gibberellic acid. In Bc. Marcella Koss, the aplicações foram feitas nos meses de outubro e novembro para Bc. application of 250 mg L-1 GA combined with decreased irrigation 3 Marcella Koss e janeiro e fevereiro para C. Irene Holguin. Não foi frequency induced flowering in around 83% plants. By using the possível induzir a floração emCattleya Irene Holguin com o uso de same GA concentration but frequent irrigation, only 17% plants 3 ácido giberélico. Para Bc. Marcella Koss, a aplicação de 250 mg L-1 were induced to flower. The number and size of flowers increased de GA , associado à diminuição na frequência de irrigação, induziu after application of higher GA concentrations. This work allowed 3 3 cerca de 83% das plantas ao florescimento. Na mesma concentração developing a commercial technique with the use of gibberellic acid de GA , porém em condições de irrigação frequente, apenas 17% (GA ) to induce flowering inBc. Marcella Koss hybrid orchid. 3 3 das plantas foram induzidas a florescer. O número e o tamanho das flores aumentaram com a aplicação de concentrações maiores de

GA3 utilizadas no experimento. A realização deste trabalho permitiu desenvolver uma técnica comercial com o uso de ácido giberélico

(GA3) para a indução do florescimento do híbrido de orquídea Bc. Marcella Koss.

Keywords: Ornamental plants, flowering, quality, pulverization, Palavras-chave: Plantas ornamentais, floração, qualidade, pul- plant growth regulator, water suppression. verização, regulador vegetal, supressão de água.

(Recebido para publicação em 19 de outubro de 2009; aceito em 19 de agosto de 2010) (Received on October 19, 2009; accepted on August 19, 2010)

he progressive increase in Brazilian The family Orchidaceae has more its high genetic variability and production Tflower production aimed at the than 30,000 species and thousands of of flowers presenting attractive size, internal and external market is linked to hybrids originated in several countries, shape and colors. However, the first the growth of investments in technology from places at sea level to the highest flowering of this genus is longer, which by producers in general who act in the points of Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, delays commercialization and increases sector of flowers and ornamental plants. Venezuela, Peru and others, from production costs. In addition, with some Exportation of Brazilian floriculture marshes to arid regions, and from exceptions, it presents lush flowering products summed US$31.5 millions in extremely hot regions to places where only once a year, with 7 to 30 days of 2009; however, importation in the sector snow is frequent (Suttleworth et al., flower durability (Cardoso & Israel, (US$20 millions) remain high (Kyiuna 1994). All these differences make 2005). et al., 2010). Orchids still have small difficult the establishment of a single According to Sheenan (1992), the participation in this total but present cultivation technique for the large group Cattleya is divided into two an annual increase of more than 100% quantity of species, resulting in the types as to flowering habit: Cattleya in exportation and domestic market in specialization of orchid producers. gigas, which produces new sprouts in addition to a huge potential, especially Among orchids, the genus Cattleya, the spring and flowers in the summer, for external market (Junqueira & Peetz, including its intergeneric hybrids, is one each sprout flowering separately; and 2008). of the most attractive for the market due to Cattleya trianaei, which produces

Hortic. bras., v. 28, n. 4, out.- dez. 2010 395 JC Cardoso et al. sprouts in the spring but does not flower induction and quality of off-season n.15 were used. before autumn. In this period, spathes flowering inCattleya and Brassocattleya Besides control, treatments consisted become dry and all originated sprouts orchids. of four GA3 concentrations (125, 250, flower simultaneously. These flowering 500 and 1,000 mg L-1) sprayed on features are transmitted to descendant MATERIAL AND METHODS leaves four times, and two irrigation hybrids of crossbreeding involving conditions, totaling ten treatments such species. The second group can designed in randomized blocks and in The experiment was carried out be photoperiodically manipulated and 5x2 factorial arrangement. Three blocks in the nursery of Shunji Nishimura flowers twice a year. containing two plants each were used, Technology Foundation, located in Although the number of researches totaling six plants per treatment. Pompéia municipality, São Paulo State, involving ornamental species has Brazil, along 12 months between 2005 GA3 presenting a minimum of 95% currently increased, most of them focus and 2006. purity was diluted in 4 mL hydrated on the nutrition of species (Amaral et al., As plant material, two hybrids alcohol at 92.8°GL, and 0.1% Tween 2009) and cultivars (Ludwig et al., 2008; ® originated from the cultivation of shoot 20 (Ethoxylated Sorbitan Monolaurate Villas Bôas et al., 2008), and few current tips were used. The first tested hybrid (nonionic surfactant)) was added to this studies have investigated plant growth was Cattleya Irene Holguin, which solution before completing it with water. regulators and their effect on flowering flowers in August/September and Controls were treated with water plus induction and quality. ® presents intense pink flowers and pink/ Tween 20 0.1%. Gibberellins are biochemically yellow labellum. Extensively used in Pulverizations were performed in described as tetracyclic diterpene acids orchid trade for flower production, this October and November 2005 for Bc. and are associated with flowering hybrid originates sprouts with spathes Marcella Koss and in January and induction in several species. When between October and February, which February 2006 for C. Irene Holguin, exogenously applied, these plant growth remain dormant during short days, between 7 and 8 a.m., when the relative regulators lead to petal growth and and its flowering occurs once in this humidity is higher, favoring the product flowering induction in long-day plants time gap. The second tested hybrid uptake. For this procedure, a knapsack under conditions of short days. The was Brassocattleya Marcella Koss, mistblower (20 L, Jacto®) attached to an opposite can occur in some exceptions which flowers in May and June. This X2 conical nozzle was used, separating (Cid, 2000). intergeneric hybrid between Brassavola control plants in order to prevent Philodendron cv. Black Cardinal and Cattleya has light pink flowers and contamination with residues. Around plants were induced to flower under non- pink/yellow labellum and produces 70 mL solution was sprayed per plant inductive conditions through application new sprouts throughout the year, which on both leaf surfaces and in young of gibberellic acid (GA3) at 125, 250, may or may not present spathes. In the roots, with 7-day interval between 500 and 1,000 mg L-1, increasing non-inductive season, even sprouts applications. flowering percentage and inflorescence with spathes do not produce flowers, As to water regime, two irrigation number per plant with increasing and the flower bud dies before starting conditions were adopted. In the first concentrations (Chen et al., 2003). In the normal flowering season. Therefore, regime, irrigation was done four times flower cultivation, other species have only sprouts originated from March and a week through microsprinklers, their flowering induced by GA3 applied April can flower. All plants had mean whereas in the second one, plants via pulverization, such as Dieffenbachia age of 6 years and 8-10 pseudobulbs were subjected to decreased irrigation (Henny, 1980), Zantedeschia (Corr & each. frequency; thus, they were kept for 15 Widmer, 1987) and Anthurium (Henny Plants were grown in hothouses days without irrigation, followed by & Hamilton, 1992). of plastic and protected with 70% irrigation only once a week, also through Chen et al. (1997) reported that shade. Fertilization was interspersed microsprinklers. In the latter case, GA3 flowering can be induced inPhalaenopsis at every week, using 1 g L-1 of N-P-K applications started soon after 15 days cv. Leda with the application of GA3 formulations, 15-15-20 and 20-10-10, without irrigation. under conditions of high temperatures, complemented with S (4%), Ca (1.10%), The effects of plant growth non-inductive to flowering. Mg (0.40%), Fe (0.10%), Zn (0.07%), regulator and irrigation frequency were Several species are induced to Mn (0.06%), B (0.05%), Cu (0.05%) and investigated considering aspects of flower after a period of drought or Mo (0.02%). The cultivation substrate flower production, such as flowering rate lower rainfall (Taiz & Zeiger, 2004). As consisted of tree fern fiber at 75% and (%), number of flowered plants relative examples, coffee (Drinnan & Menzel, Pinus barks number 2 to 25%. Tree to the total used in each treatment, 1995), citrus (Ribeiro et al., 2006) and fern fiber was employed since pots number of inflorescences and flowers orchids of the genus Cattleya (Cardoso had already been used for cultivation obtained in the respective treatments, & Israel, 2005) can be mentioned. during four years, when it was still number of flowers per plant and diameter The aim of this work was to evaluate the main substrate employed for many of flowers and petals of flowered plants the effect of water regime and gibberellic ornamental species, including orchids. (cm) by using a millimeter rule. Plants acid at different concentrations on the For plant cultivation, black plastic pots that did not flower received the value 0

396 Hortic. bras., v. 28, n. 4, out.- dez. 2010 Gibberellic acid and water regime in the flowering induction ofBrassocattleya and Cattleya hybrid orchids to allow mean comparison tests, since the absence of flowering was considered 90 a consequence of treatments and not of 80 lost plots. 70 The results were subjected to analysis of variance (F test) and means 60 compared according to Tukey’s test at 50 5% significance. The obtained flowering rates were subjected to regression 40 analysis to evaluate the effect of GA 3 30 levels. All statistical analyses were done Flowering rate (%) by using the software SAS, following 20 the user’s guide SAS/STAT (1990). 10 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 0 0 125 250 500 1000 GA concentrations (mg L-1) There was no flowering induction 3 in Cattleya Irene Holguin plants F=3.00ns (1st water regime) F=4.77* (2nd water regime) subjected to GA application under 3 Figure 1. Flowering rate in Brassocattleya Marcella Koss plants treated with 0, 125, 250, non-inductive conditions, although -1 500 and 1,000 mg L gibberellic acid (GA3) and subjected to two water regimes (one and high concentrations were used (four four irrigations a week) (taxas de florescimento de Brassocattleya ‘Marcela Koss’ tratadas consecutive pulverizations of 1,000 -1 com 0, 125, 250, 500 e 1.000 mg L de ácido giberélico (GA3) e duas condições hídricas -1 mg L GA3). The change in water (uma e quatro irrigações por semana)). Pompéia, FSNT, 2006. regime to a situation of lower water *First water regime: No significance for regression; Second water regime: y=0.00000131x3 availability did not affect flowering – 0.00187x2 + 0.6x + 18.84. R2=0.54 in that hybrid, even when GA3 was irrigation frequency combined with flower buds in pomelo (Citrus grandis) concomitantly sprayed. In addition, GA3 did not prevent flowering during the GA3 applications increased flowering plants under low temperatures and trunk normal season when applied in July at rate in that hybrid, especially when four strangulation. The increased number of -1 -1 concentrations up to 1,000 mg L . These applications of 250 mg L GA3 were inflorescences and flowers was preceded combined with the second water regime, by an increase in C/N ratio of pomelo results lead to the conclusion that GA3 application combined or not with water inducing flowering in around 83% plants leaves. availability did not influence Cattleya (Figure 1). No flowering was detected Control plants of Bc. Marcella Koss -1 Irene Holguin flowering. under GA3 application at 500 mg L . did not flower under frequent irrigation. Taiz & Zeiger (2004) reported that These results reveal the need of water GA3 application increased the number gibberellins can replace the requirement deficit and gibberellic acid at suitable of flowers per plant, which was one of long days for flowering in several concentration to induce flowering in flower/plant after treatment with the -1 species, stimulating flowering in some plants, due to the synergistic effect highest concentration (1,000 mg L ). plants, but not in others. between the tested factors. Less frequent irrigations combined Such variations in flowering rate with GA applications increased that GA application between October 3 3 under different GA concentrations number to 1.67 flowers/plant when this and November induced flowering in 3 may be related to the multifactorial regulator was sprayed at 250 mg L-1. Brassocattleya Marcella Koss plants control model of flowering, explaining These results lead to the conclusion during October, November, December the differences among results from that both gibberellic acid and low water and January, making such process earlier. experiments involving application of availability are extremely important According to Taiz & Zeiger (2004), plant growth regulators (Davies, 1995; for a high-quality flowering in such exogenous application of gibberellins Coll et al., 2003). In several commercial orchid. can lead to floral evocation in few species, flowering induction requires Philodendron ‘Black Cardinal’ plants short-day species under non-inductive more than one exogenous factor acting were also induced to flower under non- conditions and in plants requiring cold together. In coffee (Coffea arabica inductive conditions after application to flower. L.), low temperatures are needed to of GA3 at 125, 250, 500 and 1,000 mg -1 Both GA3 concentrations and water induce flower buds. However, when L , with increased flowering percentage stress affected flowering rate in Bc. the photoperiod is longer than 13h, and number of inflorescences per plant Marcella Koss (Figure 1). Under more inflorescences do not develop even under according to higher GA3 concentrations frequent irrigation, the highest flowering low temperatures (Drinnan & Menzel, (Chen et al., 2003). rate (33%) was obtained after four 1995). Yamanishi (1995) reported a Flower diameter increased with applications of 1,000 mg L-1. Lower larger number of inflorescences and higher GA3 concentrations (Table 1). The

Hortic. bras., v. 28, n. 4, out.- dez. 2010 397 JC Cardoso et al.

Table 1. Mean diameter of flowers and petals ofBrassocattleya Marcella Koss plants treated CORR BE; WIDMER RE. 1987. Gibberellic -1 acid increases flower number inZantedeschia with 0, 125, 250, 500 and 1,000 mg L GA3 and subjected to two water regimes (one and four irrigations a week) (diâmetro médio das flores e pétalas de Brassocattleya ‘Marcela elliottiana and Z. rehmannii. HortScience 22: -1 605-607. Koss’ tratadas com 0, 125, 250, 500 e 1.000 mg L de GA3 e duas condições hídricas (uma e quatro irrigações por semana)). Pompéia, FSNT, 2006. DAVIES PJ. 1995. Plant hormones: Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Flowers ∅ (cm) Petals ∅ (cm) Dordrecht: 2ª Edithion, Kluwer Academic GA3 concentrations st nd st nd Publishers. 833p. (mg L-1) 1 water 2 water 1 water 2 water regime regime regime regime DO AMARAL TL; JASMIN JM; NAHOUM PI; FREITAS CB; SALES CS. 2009. Adubação 0 0.00 C 3.83 BC 0.00 C 2.07 BC nitrogenada e potássica de bromeliáceas 125 3.76 BC 4.08 AB 1.83 BC 1.83 BC cultivadas em fibra de coco e esterco bovino. Horticultura Brasileira 27: 286-289. 250 3.92 AB 11.75 A 1.93 BC 5.87 A DRINNAN JE; MENZEL CM. 1995. Temperature 500 0.00 C 0.00 C 0.00 C 0.00 C affects vegetative growth and flowering of coffee (Coffea arabica L.). The Journal of 1,000 9.17 AB 12.50 A 4.13 AB 6.07 A Horticultural Science 70: 25-34. CV (%) 45.34 30.07 41.36 33.21 HENNY RJ. 1980. Gibberellic acid (GA3) *Means followed by the same letter in the same column did not differ according to Tukey’s induces flowering in Dieffenbachia maculata test at 5% significance (médias seguidas pela mesma letra não diferem entre si pelo teste de ‘Perfection’. HortScience 15: 613. Tukey em 5% de probabilidade). HENNY RJ; HAMILTON RL. 1992. Flowering of Anthurium following treatment with gibberellic acid. HortScience 27: 1328. largest diameter (12.5 cm) was detected other hybrids should be separately -1 JUNQUEIRA AH; PEETZ MS. 2008. Análise after four applications of 1,000 mg L tested, considering their genetic and conjuntural das exportações de flores e plantas under low water availability, whereas physiological characteristics. ornamentais do Brasil. Disponível em http:// under high availability this value was www.portaldoagronegocio.com.br. Acessado 9.17 cm. Petal diameter also increased ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS em outubro de 2008. with higher GA concentrations, and KIYUNA I; ANGELO JA; COELHO PJ. 2010. 3 Comércio exterior da floricultura brasileira the highest value was obtained at We thank Professors Elizabeth Orika em 2009: ponto de inflexão. Análises e 1,000 mg L-1. Visually, flowers did not Indicadores do Agronegócio 5. Disponível Ono and João Domingos Rodrigues lose quality, keeping harmony, petal em http://www.iea.sp.gov.br/out/verTexto. for the immeasurable assistance in the php?codTexto=11881. Acessado em junho and sepal organization and flowering elaboration and execution of this study, de 2010. uniformity. Low mean values estimated and Professors Carmen SF Boaro, LUDWIG F; FERNANDES DM; MOTA PRD; for flowers and petals, even under the VILLAS BÔAS RL. 2008. Macronutrientes Norberto Silva and Armando R Tavares. best treatments, were due to the absence em cultivares de gérbera sob dois níveis de We also thank the Shunji Nishimura fertirrigação. Horticultura Brasileira 26: of flowering in some plants, to which the Technology Foundation for the structure 68-73. value 0 was attributed. provided to this work. RIBEIRO RV; MACHADO EC; BRUNINI O. Pulverization of gibberellic acid 2006. 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