Color Breakdown in Anthurium (Anthurium andreanum Lind.) Spathes Caused by Calcium Deficiency1

Abstract

Abstract A color breakdown disorder in the lobe (proximal) section of the spathe of Anthurium andreanum Lind., was related to calcium deficiency. Elemental and electron microprobe X-ray analysis of spathe and leaf tissue revealed significantly lower Ca associated with color breakdown. In nutrient cultures, color breakdown was produced in the spathes of plants grown without Ca. Addition of Ca corrected the disorder. Elemental analysis of spathe and leaf tissues indicated lower Ca uptake at pH 3 and 4, higher at pH 6, and highest at pH 7. Ca was always lower in the lobe than tip (distal part) of the spathe at all pH levels. X-ray analysis also showed lower Ca in affected than in normal spathes.