O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar as épocas de cultivo, em ambiente subtropical, em que é possível produzir hastes de gladíolo (Gladiolusx grandiflorus) que atendam aos padrões comerciais quantitativos do mercado nacional de flores de corte. Dois experimentos de campo foram realizados, um de agosto de 2011 a julho de 2012 e outro de agosto de 2012 a julho de 2013, com três cultivares do gladíolo e 12 datas de plantio para cada experimento. O comprimento total da haste, o comprimento do pendão e o diâmetro da haste foram avaliados quando as hastes estavam em ponto de colheita, ou seja, quando a cor das pétalas apareceu nos três primeiros floretes na base da haste. Os melhores meses para a produção de hastes de gladíolo são julho, agosto, setembro, fevereiro, março e abril, embora em nenhuma das datas de plantio tenham sido produzidas hastes com parâmetros quantitativos abaixo do padrão mínimo (exceto em períodos com geada, durante o espigamento).

O gladíolo, importante flor de corte, é uma planta herbácea e suas folhas apresentam formato de lança. Os objetivos do trabalho foram determinar um modelo matemático empírico que melhor estima a área da folha do gladíolo a partir de dimensões lineares e aplicar o modelo matemático para determinar o perfil vertical da área das folhas de diferentes posições na planta. Para isso foi realizado um experimento de campo em Santa Maria com quatro cultivares de gladíolo (Peter Pears, Rose Friendship, Jester e Amsterdã), sendo coletadas 50 folhas de cada cultivar, das quais mensuraram-se o comprimento (C) e a maior largura (L). Em seguida, fotocopiou-se cada folha em um scanner, calculando-se a área individual (AF) com auxílio de um software. A relação entre área e as dimensões das folhas foi ajustada no modelo potência e a capacidade preditiva das equações foi avaliada por várias estatísticas. Resultados indicam que o modelo AF = a (C.L) é o mais indicado para a estimativa da área foliar em gladíolo, podendo-se utilizar a = 0,644 para as quatro cultivares testadas. As menores folhas estão nas posições basais e apicais e as maiores, na posição intermediária da planta.

This study aimed to obtain equations to estimate leaf area from linear leaf dimensions and establish the allometric relationship between leaf area and the number of leaves on the main stem of chia (Salvia hispanica L.) at different sowing times. The experiment was conducted in the agricultural year 2016/2017 on five sowing times in Santa Maria, RS, Brazil, in a randomized block design with four repetitions. In each plot, ten random plants were marked weekly during the vegetative phase to determine the number of leaves (NL) in the main stem, and three of these for the determination of leaf area (LA). A total of 70 leaves of different sizes were used to calibrate the model. Another 106 leaves were used to test the predictive capacity of the equations by various statistical indices. The length (L) and the largest leaf width (W) were measured. Leaf collection was carried out during the cycle, in all sowing times to represent all leaf sizes. The linear, quadratic, exponential, and potential models were adjusted. The non-destructive method, through the linear dimensions of the leaf, is appropriate for estimating the leaf area in chia. The general equation LA = 0.642 (L x W) can be used to estimate the leaf area of the chia plants without loss of precision. The potential model is appropriate to characterize the allometric relationship between leaf area evolution and the number of leaves accumulated in the main stem of chia at different sowing times.

The planting date is an important factor affecting the developmental cycle and quality of final product. Indications from the literature are that gladiolus is a species that can be cultivated throughout the year, but in some periods, adverse conditions may occur, reducing the quality of the flower. Two field experiments (Experiment 1: August 2011 to July 2012 and Experiment 2: August 2012 to July 2013) were conducted in Santa Maria, RS, Brazil, to quantify the influence of planting dates on the duration of the developmental cycle and on the quality of flower stems in gladiolus, identifying possible damages by high and low temperatures in the final product. It is concluded that it is possible to cultivate gladiolus throughout the year, but the duration of gladiolus cycle is higher when planting is carried out in periods of low temperatures, and this is important for scheduling the planting date, mainly for meeting specific market demand (commemorative dates). Extreme temperatures (above 35 ºC and below 0 ºC) reduce the commercial flowers quality and even cause the death of plants.

The objective of this study was to determine the cycle duration in days and the quantitative parameters, i.e. stem length, spike length and stem diameter of gladiolus floral stems as a function of the planting date and locations in the Rio Grande do Sul/Brazil. Field experiments were established between 2014-2015 in three locations (Frederico Westphalen, Itaqui and Santa Maria). The experimental design was a complete randomized block, with six gladiolus cultivars in three distinct planting dates at each location as treatments. The shift from vegetative to reproductive stage, the stem length, spike length and stem diameter were evaluated. Data was statistically analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey test. When planted during late July and early August, cultivars of early cycle(‘Purple Flora’, ‘Rose Friendship’ and ‘White Friendship’) and intermediate cycle (‘Green Star’ and ‘Jester’), produced floral stems of gladiolus in the desired patterns besides as well as having a shorter growth cycle than late cultivars (‘Gold Field’), being recommended for commercial cultivation in Southern Brazil.

Flower crops are an alternative for diversification in small farms, being gladiolus an option of cut flower. The objective of this study was to disseminate the gladiolus crop as an alternative for diversification and profit for small farms through an extension project where crop management practices were demonstrated during its development cycle. An extension project was carried out in partnership with a rural extension agency, EMATER/RS-ASCAR, to identify the farmers interested in diversifying their production system for growing gladiolus. The extension project was developed in four counties in the Central region of the Rio Grande do Sul/Brazil. Together with the extensionists of EMATER/RS-ASCAR, farmers were assisted during the entire production cycle and learned the management practices from planting to harvesting. Altogether, approximately 2,400 gladiolus spikes were produced, which were marketed one week before and during Mother’s Day week at local fairs. In all the counties, the demand and consumption of the flower stems were high, demonstrating acceptance of the consumers of gladiolus stems on Mother’s Day. The gladiolus production has proven to be profitable for small family properties. This system encourages the production in short-chains, contributes to the growth of local flower production and may contribute for decreasing rural exodus and sustainability for future generations