Allometric Relationship among Leaf and Floral Parameters in Anthurium andraeanum Variety "Tropical Red": Simple Indication of Floral Display

Abstract

Anthurium is a popular tropical cut flower grown commercially both for export and local markets. Flower size plays a vital role in deciding the price of the finished product. Corner's rule in plant form indicated that, leaf size and inflorescence size are correlated. It is hypothesized that in Anthuriums, flowers and leaves that are produced alternatively in a bush should possess the above traits and would beneficial for growers, in determining aspects of floral display (inflorescence size) by observing allometry at the level of leaf size. This study mainly aimed to explore the simple allometric relationships in Anthurium andraeanum variety "Tropical red" considering leaf and floral morphological traits. Study was conducted in Kandy District, Sri Lanka. Relevant measurements were taken from ten Anthurium growing farms. Ten plants were measured at each location and size related parameters of both leaves and flowers were taken. Regression analysis was done using natural log in allometric analysis. Results showed significant relationships among most parameters measured. Leaf area, leaf length, leaf width, lobe length and petiole length showed significant positive correlations with pedicel length, spathe length and spathe width. However spadix length of Anthurium did not show significant relationships with leaf parameters. Reproductive effort of plants was also visible in tested Anthurium cultivar and without natural log values, graphs indicated, there should be a minim um leaf length of 5 - 10 cm to initiate flowers. Therefore, relationships between allocation and allometry are obvious. In conclusion, leaf sizes and flower sizes are allometically related traits (R2 - 0.7072) in Anthurium andraeanum variety "Tropical red”.