The study evaluated the feasibility of simplified hydroponics for the growth of rooted cuttings of geranium (Pelargonium zonale) for commercial purposes in local farms in Northern Italy. Tested systems included a control where soilless system on substrate (peat) (T-1), usually adopted by local farmers, was compared against an open-cycle drip system on substrate (peat) (T-2), and a Nutrient Film Technique system (T-3). For commercial features, assessed parameters included flowering degree (flowering timing, numbers of inflorescences plant⁻¹, and number of flowers inflorescence⁻¹), numbers of leaves plant⁻¹, number of branches plant⁻¹, final height of plant, and the aesthetic-commercial assessment index. Assessed parameters also included fresh and dry weight, SPAD Index, the water consumption, and the water use efficiency (WUE). The soilless systems typology significantly affected rooted cuttings growth, commercial features, and WUE. The adoption of an open-cycle drip system (T-2) resulted in a significant improvement of all the crop commercial characteristics as compared with other treatments, making plants more attractive for the market. The water consumption was higher in T-2 as compared with T-1 and T-3, but it allowed for the highest fresh weight, and therefore also the highest WUE. The results indicate that the typology of soilless system significantly enhances the commercial characteristics of geranium.

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三种低技术无土栽培天竺葵（天竺葵）的比较研究：商业质量评估

这项研究评估了简化的水培法在意大利北部当地农场中用于商业用途的天竺葵生根插条（Pelargonium zonale）生长的可行性。经过测试的系统包括一个对照，其中将当地农民通常采用的基质（豌豆）上的无土系统（T-1）与基质（豌豆）上的开放式滴灌系统（T-2）进行比较，并采用营养膜技术系统（T-3）。对于商业特征，评估的参数包括开花程度（开花时间，花序植物数^-1，花序花数^-1），叶植物数^-1，分支植物数^-1，植物的最终高度以及美学/商业评估指标。评估的参数还包括干重，SPAD指数，耗水量和用水效率（WUE）。无土系统类型显着影响根系插条的生长，商业特性和WUE。与其他处理方法相比，采用开放式滴灌系统（T-2）可以显着改善所有农作物的商业特性，从而使植物对市场更具吸引力。与T-1和T-3相比，T-2的耗水量更高，但允许的鲜重最高，因此WUE也最高。结果表明，无土系统的类型学显着增强了天竺葵的商业特性。