Rose plants cvs. Anna and Sari were propagated on Rosa indica rootstock and were grown in closed soilless systems, with and without mulching with a black polyethylene sheet (0.18 mm thick). Plants were grown in an artificial potting mixture of sand:peat (4:1 v/v). Rose plants in single row (7.5 plants/cultivated m-2) were maintained in a greenhouse with a minimum temperature of 12°C (winter). Fertirrigation occurred considering a leaching fraction of 10% based on lysimeters. According to a formerly tested method, substrate leaching by an increased volume of nutrient solution or water, occurred in cases of solution electric conductivity equal to, or greater than 4000mmS.cm-1 in the leachate. There was a reduction in the water consumption of 35 or 16% corresponding to cultivars Anna and Sari, respectively, when the plants were mulched. The number of fertigations increased nutrient solution volumes and leachate water decreased using the mulched cultivation. Salt accumulation for control near substrate surface was very high in summer. A lower electrical conductivity and a higher water content of the mulched substrate was recorded both in fall and in spring/summer. The results showed significant differences in flower production and quality, using the mulched system. Higher water use efficiency was caused by lower evaporation and overall lower increase of the electrical conductivity of the substrate.
rose; mulching; soilless culture