Effects of Different Levels of Water Deficit on the Soil in Chrysanthemum Culture

The cultivation of irrigated ornamental plants has been growing in Brazil and gaining prominence in Espírito Santo. In general, these species are sensitive to variations in water levels in the soil, being necessary to obtain information that makes it possible to maximize production through adequate irrigation management. On that note, the objective of this paper was to evaluate the growth, productivity and quality of chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflorem cv. Faroe) with different levels of soil water deficit. The study was developed in a protected environment in the county of Venda Nova do Imigrante-ES. The experimental design was completely randomized, in the plot scheme subdivided in time with four replications, with five levels of soil water deficit (0%, 20%, 40%, 50% and 60%) and the subplot corresponded to six cuts along the phenological cycle of (30; 43; 57; 70; 83 and 95 days after transplanting). The height of the floral stem, the total dry mass, the floral button number and the quality components according to the Ibraflor were analyzed. There was an interaction between levels of soil water deficit (WD) and the days after transplanting (DAT), and the variables presented a significant response (p <0.05). The lowest values ​​of soil water deficit (0 and 20%) provided better development of chrysanthemum and plants with an A1 quality standard according to IBRAFLOR classification.