Thermodynamic Balance for Promoting Alstroemeria Production Progress Report — march 1991
Date February 27, 1991
Title of Project Thermodynamic Balance for Promoting Alstroemeria Production
Institution where work is being conducted Colorado State University
Amount of Endowment Grant $ 10,650
Covering Period Jan. 91 to Dec. 31, 1991
Anticipated Date of Project Completion/Final Report December 31, 1992
Individual(s) Conducting Project:
(List Project Leader First)
Douglas A. Hopper - Title Assistant Professor
Telephone Number (303) 491-7140
Chi Won Lee - Title Associate Professor
Kenneth L. Goldsberry - Title Professor
Thermodynamic Balance for Promoting Alstroemeria Production
Douglas A. Hopper, Chi Won Lee, and Kenneth L. Goldsberry
Colorado State University
- A. Project Objectives:
- 1. Determine yield and quality response of traditional and all-year-round (AYR) cultivars ofAlstroemeria to various cool media over a whole year.
- 2. Quantify Alstroemeria stem length response to nutrient recirculation, and two levels ofdifferences between day and night temperature (DIF).
- 3. Evaluate yield and quality of two cultivars of Alstroemeria grown in peat-based, gravel, andfiberglass media with media cooling.
- 4. Using recorded media and air temperatures along with energy use for refrigeration, calculatethe thermodynamic flow of heat for each media cooling treatment.
- B. Summary of Work Conducted:
- On November 1, 1990 established Alstroemeria plants in 10 cm (4 inch) plastic pots were receivedfrom van Staaveren America and stored moist in a 4.5′C (40′F) cooler with less than 1 umol*m-2*S-1 of
light (photosynthetic photon flux - PPF) for 9 weeks. Plants were moved to a cool (13′C or 56′F night)
greenhouse section on January 5, 1991 to await the completion of proper bench and cooling facilities
which would enable the selected media cooling temperatures to be applied to each treatment. Bench
structures and cooling systems are still in the process of modification to permit this control. Plants are
expected to be placed into the specific bench locations in March 1991.
- C. Results to Date:
- Design and construction of the prototype benches for use in this study suggest that effective meansfor both nutrient solution recirculation and media substrate cooling may be used together, but close
attention must be paid to details of the construction so that pump and filtering systems do not experience
damage or clogging. Sufficient thickness of insulation material must be included in each beach to
minimize the need for large elaborate cooling systems that may not function properly in the heat of
summer. Established plants in 10 cm (4 inch) pots may be stored moist in a 4.5′C (40′F) cooler with less
than 1 umol*m-2*s-1 of light (photosynthetic photon flux - PPF) for up to 9 weeks without in effects; about
20 to 30 cm (8 to 12 inches) of new growth may occur during that time period.
- D. Future Plans Covered by the Endowment Grant:
- Once plants are transplanted into the designated bench locations, the environmental and plantgrowth data will begin to be collected. Production and flowering of the various cultivars and the times
of development will be recorded. Preliminary results are expected to be visible in fall 1991, and it is
anticipated that significant comparisons may be reported by December 1991.
- E. Anticipated Benefits for Floral Industry:
- Although previous research of Alstroemeria response to environment supports the possibility ofcontinuous quality production, commercial production fluctuates seasonally. This study proposes
simplified closed and open system designs for cooling media temperature to enable control of
alstroemeria production commercially. Recording media and air temperatures will allow calculations of
energy use and an understanding of the overall energy balance. From the energy inputs, the economics
required to provide the environment necessary for continuous quality alstroemeria flowering may be
determined. Results from this applied research will allow American growers to compete with the
increases in cut flower imports, particularly in sun belt areas where high solar radiation already provides
an advantage.
