Fecha de publicación: 09/06/2024 Fuente: ISHS (International Society for Horticultural Science) Post date: Sunday 9 June 2024
Author:
ISHS Secretariat

Sara Benchaa is a PhD student at Laval University in Quebec City under the supervision of Prof. Line Lapointe. Sara is focused on optimizing vernalization and cultivation conditions for the greenhouse production of Anemone coronaria and Ranunculus asiaticus. As climatic conditions in the Quebec region do not support a diverse range of early spring cut flowers, starting plants in greenhouses and, for many, resorting to forcing, is necessary to produce various flower varieties earlier in the season. Although Anemone and Ranunculus are prized species that can be forced, it is essential to optimize conditions during vernalization (cold treatment) and growth (temperature, light, photoperiod). This ensures optimal yields and better synchronization between supply and demand in the local market, which fluctuates greatly from week to week due to events such as Easter, Mother’s Day, and weddings. Sara’s research involves conducting experiments in controlled conditions (cold rooms and growth chambers) and semi-controlled conditions (greenhouses and tunnels) using Anemone tubers and Ranunculus tuberous roots as plant material. She tested how exposing these organs to different vernalization conditions (3 temperatures × 4 durations) in greenhouses (March/April) and then in tunnels (May to July) impacted flower production. Additionally, she evaluated the performance of plants under different growth temperature regimes, including the impact of lower soil temperatures. The various treatments were assessed in terms of yield, flower quality, tuber/tuberous root production, and synchronization with market demand. Anemone cultivars tested during this study appear to be negatively affected by vernalization. Ranunculus cultivars did not display signs of vernalization stress, even at the lowest temperature. The longest vernalization duration hastened flower production rather than temperature. The experiments on growth temperature showed that it is possible to cultivate these species at cooler temperatures, thereby reducing heating costs, in addition to producing higher quality flowers and larger storage organs by the end of the season.
Sara Benchaa won the ISHS Young Minds Award for the best poster presentation at the XIV International Symposium on Flower Bulbs and Herbaceous Perennials in Poland in April 2024.
Sara Benchaa, Laval University, 1045 Avenue de la Médecine, Québec, G1V0A6, Canada, e-mail: sara.benchaa.1@ulaval.ca
The article is available in Chronica HorticulturaeTags: greenhouse productionornamentalsvernalizationranunculusanemoneCategories: Young Minds Award Winners