The Effect of Different Substrates on Morphological Characteristics of Acclimatized Bowiea Volubilis

Abstract

Before acclimatization of Bowiea volubilis, in vitro propagated bulbs were cleaned and separated into four sizes (from 6 to 15 mm). We formed a total of 10 groups with 30-30 individuals, distributing the sizes evenly. Four types of substrate (peat, perlite, coconut fiber, sand) and their mixtures of 50-50% were used. Previously we examined three parameters: length, diameter and weight of the bulbs; later the weight of the successfully acclimatized plants, the number and length of roots and leaves were measured. The acclimatization was done in one of the greenhouses of the Buda Arboretum, where the plants were grown with fleece covering till one month, irrigated every three days, without the use of nutrient replenishment and artificial lighting. After 3 month period, survived plants developed effectively on peat + perlite, sand + perlite and sand + peat mixtures. In these cases, we achieved the largest increases in roots, green parts, bulbs and total weight.