This thesis aims at developing a conceptual model for supply networks optimization in the floriculture industry in Kenya. In the literature review a detailed account of the evolution of supply chain management, the concept and the factors influencing simultaneous optimization of supply networks in the floriculture industry is given. The area of complex adaptive systems is explored and the link with the floriculture industry in Kenya is shown. A review of current studies is done on the subject of supply chain management and particularly the various conceptual frameworks/models developed by a number of researchers around the world. The supply chain performance measurement and the requirements for model building are also given. The research methodology provides the research paradigm and research design and discusses the justification of the approach taken for the study. The target population consisted of all active cut flower exporting firms by 31st December 2009 as per the information provided by Horticultural Crops Development Authority (HCDA). This target population comprising of 412 active exporters was stratified in terms of: large, International, local, embedded, unimpeded, small and medium scale enterprises. Sampling was done through census sampling technique, in which case the entire population was considered. Data analysis is also discussed including the various tests to be carried out in relation to validity and reliability of data. There is a detailed presentation of principal factor analysis results. Finally there is a detailed discussion on the ethical considerations in the conduct of my data collection and research process. Chapter four outlined the factors that are indeed useful to be considered when designing a conceptual model for managing supply networks for simultaneous optimization. Such factors included: country development; quality of inputs; financing; customer responsiveness; research and development. Also discussed are the factors that contribute to overall organizational performance which in this case included: return on trading investment, overall operational costs, overall productivity growth rates and outsourcing activities and decisions. The triple bottom line benefits encompassing environmental vi audit, financial audit and social audit have also been discussed in relation to country specific benefits in relation to the floriculture industry in Kenya. The revised conceptual model for simultaneous optimisation of supply networks in the floriculture industry is presented consisting of: key success factors; financing; information integration; country specific benefits; transport; research and development. These are the factors which contribute to enhancing performance of the floriculture industry in Kenya. The conclusion and recommendations of the study are made on the basis of these factors. / Business Management / D.B.L. (Business Leadership)

O crisântemo cultivado em vaso é um dos produtos floríferos mais vendidos na floricultura brasileira, possuindo grande diversidade de cores, formas e tamanhos de inflorescências, além de possuir alta durabilidade após a colheita. Para tanto, é necessário o atendimento das exigências nutricionais da planta para possibilitar expressar seu potencial ornamental. Os objetivos deste trabalho foram analisar o crescimento da planta e caracterizar a marcha de absorção de nutrientes no cultivo em vaso do crisântemo, variedade cultivada ,,Fine Time\". O experimento foi realizado na estufa climatizada do Setor de Floricultura do Colégio Politécnico da UFSM, Santa Maria - RS, no período de setembro a dezembro de 2012. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado com oito tratamentos e seis repetições. As plantas foram coletadas e analisadas em intervalos que variaram de 7 a 14 dias dependendo da fase de desenvolvimento da planta. Os parâmetros de crescimento avaliados foram: comprimento das hastes, folhas e de raízes; número de folhas, raízes, brotações, botões florais e de inflorescências; largura e área das folhas; massa de matéria seca das folhas, raízes; botões florais; inflorescências, hastes e das plantas. Em relação aos nutrientes foi analisado teor, acúmulo e marcha de absorção de N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, B, Cu, Fe, Mn e Zn nas raízes, folhas, hastes, botões florais e inflorescências. Os parâmetros comprimento das hastes e raízes, número de folhas e raízes, massa de matéria seca de planta, haste e raiz foram crescentes em função do tempo, tendendo a estabilidade no final do ciclo produtivo. Os parâmetros comprimento e largura das folhas decrescem em função do tempo de cultivo. A ordem decrescente de acúmulo de massa de matéria seca dos órgãos foi: folhas > hastes > raízes > inflorescências > botões florais. A necessidade de N, P, S e Cu é semelhante durante a fase vegetativa e de florescimento. A necessidade de K, Mn e Zn nas plantas é maior na fase de florescimento. A necessidade de Ca, B, Fe e Mg nas plantas é maior na fase vegetativa. A necessidade dos macronutrientes durante a fase vegetativa e de florescimento da planta segue, respectivamente, a seguinte ordem de grandeza: Ca > Mg > N > S > P > K; e K > P > S > N > Mg > Ca. A necessidade dos micronutrientes durante a fase vegetativa e de florescimento da planta segue, respectivamente, a seguinte ordem decrescente de grandeza: B > Fe> Cu > Zn > Mn; e Mn > Zn > Cu > Fe > B. A sequência decrescente do acúmulo de nutrientes nas plantas de crisântemo em função do tempo foi: N > K > P > Ca > S > Mg > Fe > Mn > B > Zn > Cu. / The chrysanthemum cultivated in pot is one of the best seller floristic products in the Brazilian floriculture, having high colors diversity, forms and sizes of inflorescences, besides present high post-harvest durability. Therefore, it is necessary to attend the plant nutrition requirement for enabling to express its ornamental potential. The objectives of this research were to evaluate the plant growth and to characterize the nutrients uptake curve of chrysanthemum, cv. ,,Fine Time\", cultivated on pot. The experiment was carried out at greenhouse of the Floriculture Section, Polytechnic College, Federal University of ,,Santa Maria\" (UFSM), Santa Maria, ,,Rio Grande do Sul\" state, Brazil, from September to December 2012. The statistical design was complete randomized with eight treatments and six replications. The plants were sampled and analyzed in intervals of 7 to 14 days according to the plant development stage. The evaluated growth parameters were: length of stems, leaves and roots; number of leaves, roots, sproutings, buds and inflorescences; width and area of leaves; dry matter of leaves, roots, buds, inflorescences, stems and plants. In relation to the nutrients content, accumulation and uptake curve, the N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, B, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn on the roots, leaves, stems, buds and inflorescences were evaluated. The parameters stem and root length, number of leaves and roots, dry matter of plant, stems and roots were crescent as function of time, presenting a tendency of stability at end of the crop cycle. The parameters length and width of leaves decrease as function of cultivation time. The decrescente order of organ dry matter accumulation was: leaves > stems > roots > inflorescences > buds. The needs of N, P, S and Cu are equal during the vegetative phase and flowering. The needs of K, Mn and Zn in the plants are higher on the flowering phase. The plant demand of Ca, B, Fe and Mg is higher on the vegetative phase. The needs of macronutrients during vegetative phase and flowering obey, respectively, the following order: Ca > Mg > N > S > P > K and K > P > S > N > Mg > Ca. The needs of micronutrients during vegetative phase and flowering obey, respectively, the following decrescent order: B > Fe> Cu > Zn > Mn and Mn > Zn > Cu > Fe > B. The decrescent sequence of nutrient accumulation on the chrysanthemum plants as function of time was: N > K > P > Ca > S > Mg > Fe > Mn > B > Zn > Cu.

Os objetivos do trabalho foram: estudar a resposta da cultura cultivada em solução nutritiva a doses de N e K quanto à produção e absorção de nutrientes; avaliar a nutrição e a produção da cultura cultivada em solo sob estufa comercial em 3 ciclos; avaliar os efeitos das adubações nitrogenada e potássica suplementares à fertilização do produtor na produção e absorção de nutrientes pela planta. Foram realizados dois experimentos: solução nutritiva e em solo (estufa comercial). O experimento em solução nutritiva foi instalado em blocos casualizados e constituído de um fatorial 4 x 4, com doses de N (42, 112, 210 e 406 mg L -1 N) e doses de K (39, 78, 234 e 468 mg L -1 K). As soluções nutritivas foram fornecidas por microaspersão em recipientes ( 7L ) contendo sílica e uma muda por vaso. Foram avaliadas a produção de matéria seca (flores, folhas e hastes), altura, número de flores, número de ramificações laterais principais por haste e nutrientes absorvidos. O experimento em solo, sob estufa comercial, foi dividido em duas partes: avaliação do estado nutricional da cultura quando da utilização da adubação do produtor e estudo das adubações nitrogenadas e potássicas aplicadas suplementarmente à fertilização do produtor. O primeiro experimento avaliou três ciclos da cultura ( fev.- maio; maio-ago; ago-dez. 1999) com 600 mil plantas por hectare no primeiro ciclo e 400 mil nos posteriores. A fertirrigação totalizou 86,57 kg ha -1 de N, 10,33 kg ha -1 de P, 60,92 kg ha -1 de K, 89,46 kg ha -1 de Ca, 4,79 kg ha -1 de Mg e 11,93 kg ha -1 de S para cada ciclo, sendo os micronutrientes aplicados via foliar. Foram avaliadas a produção de matéria seca, número de flores por haste, número de ramificações laterais principais por haste, nutrientes absorvidos e análises químicas do solo após cada ciclo. No experimento de adubação suplementar, os tratamentos foram instalados após o primeiro ciclo da cultura em blocos casualizados, fatorial 4 x 4 com 4 repetições. As doses utilizadas como adubação suplementar à fertilização usada pelo produtor foram 86,57; 136,57; 161,28 e 186,23 kg ha -1 de N e 62,92; 106,72; 128,32 e 149,92 kg ha -1 de K e, no terceiro ciclo, 86,57; 164,38; 190,37 e 294, 57 kg ha -1 de N e 62,92; 124,12; 149,92 e 236,92 kg ha -1 de K. Os parâmetros avaliados foram a produção de matéria seca, absorção de nutrientes, número de flores e de ramificações laterais por haste e análise química do solo. No experimento em solução nutritiva, a maior produção de material seco de flores, hastes e folhas, os melhores valores dos parâmetros avaliados (altura, número de flores e ramificações laterais principais por haste) e as maiores concentrações e acúmulos da maioria dos macro e micronutrientes foi atingida com N1K1 (42 mg L -1 N, 39 mg L -1 K) no primeiro ciclo e com N1K3 (42 mg L -1 N; 234 mg L -1 K) no segundo ciclo. No experimento em solo, as produções de matéria seca, número de flores, ramificações laterais principais e exportação de nutrientes foram menores no terceiro ciclo. A fertilidade do solo manteve-se alta nos três ciclos, mas o K teve redução após o primeiro ciclo. As extrações de N e K não foram repostas pela adubação usual. As adubações suplementares com N e K no segundo ciclo apresentaram efeito apenas sobre a produção de matéria seca das flores, o teor de cálcio nas flores e folhas, o acúmulo de N nas flores, de K nas hastes, o teor e acúmulo de Cu nas hastes no segundo ciclo. Os teores de N nas flores e folhas, K e Ca nas folhas, o acúmulo de K nas flores, de P, Ca, Mg nas folhas, de N, Mg e S nas hastes, teor de B, Cu, Fe e Zn nas flores foram influenciados pelas adubações suplementares no terceiro ciclo. Os teores de potássio no solo apresentaram resposta linear com a fertilização suplementar potássica realizada após o terceiro ciclo. Mais estudos são necessários, principalmente quanto ao N e K, para um melhor desenvolvimento da cultura em condições de tropicais. / Aster ericoides is ornamental plant with great production potential in Brazil. Very little information exists nutrition and fertilization of horticultural plants in tropical countries. The objectives were to study application rates of nitrogen and potassium on production and nutrients absorption in soiless culture and commercial production; nutrition and production evaluation in 3 cycle in commercial production Aster ericoides (White Master). Two experiments were mounted: soiless culture (greenhouse) and soil (commercial greenhouse). The first experiment was a completed randomized block, with 4 replications, 4 rates of nitrogen addition (42, 112, 210 and 406 mg L -1 ) and 4 rates of potassium addition (39, 78, 234 e 468 mg L -1 ). Nutrient solution was added to 7 L pots with silica and 1 plant per pot. Seedlings transplantation was performed and harvest occured after 3 months. Dry matter production (flowers, leaves and stems), plant height, flower number, principal lateral shoots and nutrients absorption were evaluated. Optimum dry matter productio n, flower number and nutrient absorption was obtained with 42 mg L -1 N and 39 mg L -1 K in first cycle and 42 mg L -1 N and 234 mg L -1 K in second cycle. The soil experiment was performed under commercial conditions, Santo Antonio de Posse, Sao Paulo State. This experiment was divided in two parts: nutritional evaluation of production and additional N and K fertilization. Three phases of culture were evaluated with 600,000 plants per ha in first cycle and 400,000 plants per ha in the others cycles. Fertirrigaton was used in each cycle and it was applied 86.57 kg ha -1 N, 10.33 kg ha -1 P, 60.92 kg ha -1 K, 89.46 kg ha -1 Ca, 4.79 kg ha -1 Mg e 11.93 kg ha -1 S. Twelve stems were harvested in each plot (2.40m x 48.00 m area). Dry matter production, flower number and principal lateral shoots were worst in third cycle. Soil fertility was greatest at the third cycles but K levels were reduced after first harvest. N and K extraction was not replaced with standard fertilizer. For the second experiment, the first cycle received fertirrigation at usual nutrient rates. Treatments were initiated in the second cycle with a 4 x 4 fatorial experiment (4 rates of N and 4 rates of K) in randomized designed with 4 replications. N and K rates in second cycle were 86.57; 136.57; 161.28 e 186.23 kg ha -1 of N e 62.92; 106.72; 128.32 e 149.92 kg ha-1 K and in third cycle were 86.57; 164.38; 190.37 e 294.57 kg ha -1 N e 62.92; 124.12; 149.92 e 236.92 kg ha-1 K. Each fertilizer addition was divided into 10 aplications applied each week. Dry matter production (flower, stem and leaf), nutrient absorption, flower number, principal lateral shoots and soil chemical analysis were evaluated. Flower dry matter, calcium concentration in flowers and leaves, N accumulation in flowers and K accumulation in stems and Cu accumulation in stems were influenced by additional fertilization in second cycle. In third cycle, nutrient concentration for N, K, P, Ca and other nutrients were signifcantly higher due additional fertilization. More studies concerns about nitrogen and potassium fertilization could provide more informations regarding the development of Aster ericoides under tropical conditions.

O crisântemo cultivado em vaso é um dos produtos floríferos mais vendidos na floricultura brasileira, possuindo grande diversidade de cores, formas e tamanhos de inflorescências, além de possuir alta durabilidade após a colheita. Para tanto, é necessário o atendimento das exigências nutricionais da planta para possibilitar expressar seu potencial ornamental. Os objetivos deste trabalho foram analisar o crescimento da planta e caracterizar a marcha de absorção de nutrientes no cultivo em vaso do crisântemo, variedade cultivada ,,Fine Time\". O experimento foi realizado na estufa climatizada do Setor de Floricultura do Colégio Politécnico da UFSM, Santa Maria - RS, no período de setembro a dezembro de 2012. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado com oito tratamentos e seis repetições. As plantas foram coletadas e analisadas em intervalos que variaram de 7 a 14 dias dependendo da fase de desenvolvimento da planta. Os parâmetros de crescimento avaliados foram: comprimento das hastes, folhas e de raízes; número de folhas, raízes, brotações, botões florais e de inflorescências; largura e área das folhas; massa de matéria seca das folhas, raízes; botões florais; inflorescências, hastes e das plantas. Em relação aos nutrientes foi analisado teor, acúmulo e marcha de absorção de N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, B, Cu, Fe, Mn e Zn nas raízes, folhas, hastes, botões florais e inflorescências. Os parâmetros comprimento das hastes e raízes, número de folhas e raízes, massa de matéria seca de planta, haste e raiz foram crescentes em função do tempo, tendendo a estabilidade no final do ciclo produtivo. Os parâmetros comprimento e largura das folhas decrescem em função do tempo de cultivo. A ordem decrescente de acúmulo de massa de matéria seca dos órgãos foi: folhas > hastes > raízes > inflorescências > botões florais. A necessidade de N, P, S e Cu é semelhante durante a fase vegetativa e de florescimento. A necessidade de K, Mn e Zn nas plantas é maior na fase de florescimento. A necessidade de Ca, B, Fe e Mg nas plantas é maior na fase vegetativa. A necessidade dos macronutrientes durante a fase vegetativa e de florescimento da planta segue, respectivamente, a seguinte ordem de grandeza: Ca > Mg > N > S > P > K; e K > P > S > N > Mg > Ca. A necessidade dos micronutrientes durante a fase vegetativa e de florescimento da planta segue, respectivamente, a seguinte ordem decrescente de grandeza: B > Fe> Cu > Zn > Mn; e Mn > Zn > Cu > Fe > B. A sequência decrescente do acúmulo de nutrientes nas plantas de crisântemo em função do tempo foi: N > K > P > Ca > S > Mg > Fe > Mn > B > Zn > Cu. / The chrysanthemum cultivated in pot is one of the best seller floristic products in the Brazilian floriculture, having high colors diversity, forms and sizes of inflorescences, besides present high post-harvest durability. Therefore, it is necessary to attend the plant nutrition requirement for enabling to express its ornamental potential. The objectives of this research were to evaluate the plant growth and to characterize the nutrients uptake curve of chrysanthemum, cv. ,,Fine Time\", cultivated on pot. The experiment was carried out at greenhouse of the Floriculture Section, Polytechnic College, Federal University of ,,Santa Maria\" (UFSM), Santa Maria, ,,Rio Grande do Sul\" state, Brazil, from September to December 2012. The statistical design was complete randomized with eight treatments and six replications. The plants were sampled and analyzed in intervals of 7 to 14 days according to the plant development stage. The evaluated growth parameters were: length of stems, leaves and roots; number of leaves, roots, sproutings, buds and inflorescences; width and area of leaves; dry matter of leaves, roots, buds, inflorescences, stems and plants. In relation to the nutrients content, accumulation and uptake curve, the N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, B, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn on the roots, leaves, stems, buds and inflorescences were evaluated. The parameters stem and root length, number of leaves and roots, dry matter of plant, stems and roots were crescent as function of time, presenting a tendency of stability at end of the crop cycle. The parameters length and width of leaves decrease as function of cultivation time. The decrescente order of organ dry matter accumulation was: leaves > stems > roots > inflorescences > buds. The needs of N, P, S and Cu are equal during the vegetative phase and flowering. The needs of K, Mn and Zn in the plants are higher on the flowering phase. The plant demand of Ca, B, Fe and Mg is higher on the vegetative phase. The needs of macronutrients during vegetative phase and flowering obey, respectively, the following order: Ca > Mg > N > S > P > K and K > P > S > N > Mg > Ca. The needs of micronutrients during vegetative phase and flowering obey, respectively, the following decrescent order: B > Fe> Cu > Zn > Mn and Mn > Zn > Cu > Fe > B. The decrescent sequence of nutrient accumulation on the chrysanthemum plants as function of time was: N > K > P > Ca > S > Mg > Fe > Mn > B > Zn > Cu.

Os objetivos do trabalho foram: estudar a resposta da cultura cultivada em solução nutritiva a doses de N e K quanto à produção e absorção de nutrientes; avaliar a nutrição e a produção da cultura cultivada em solo sob estufa comercial em 3 ciclos; avaliar os efeitos das adubações nitrogenada e potássica suplementares à fertilização do produtor na produção e absorção de nutrientes pela planta. Foram realizados dois experimentos: solução nutritiva e em solo (estufa comercial). O experimento em solução nutritiva foi instalado em blocos casualizados e constituído de um fatorial 4 x 4, com doses de N (42, 112, 210 e 406 mg L -1 N) e doses de K (39, 78, 234 e 468 mg L -1 K). As soluções nutritivas foram fornecidas por microaspersão em recipientes ( 7L ) contendo sílica e uma muda por vaso. Foram avaliadas a produção de matéria seca (flores, folhas e hastes), altura, número de flores, número de ramificações laterais principais por haste e nutrientes absorvidos. O experimento em solo, sob estufa comercial, foi dividido em duas partes: avaliação do estado nutricional da cultura quando da utilização da adubação do produtor e estudo das adubações nitrogenadas e potássicas aplicadas suplementarmente à fertilização do produtor. O primeiro experimento avaliou três ciclos da cultura ( fev.- maio; maio-ago; ago-dez. 1999) com 600 mil plantas por hectare no primeiro ciclo e 400 mil nos posteriores. A fertirrigação totalizou 86,57 kg ha -1 de N, 10,33 kg ha -1 de P, 60,92 kg ha -1 de K, 89,46 kg ha -1 de Ca, 4,79 kg ha -1 de Mg e 11,93 kg ha -1 de S para cada ciclo, sendo os micronutrientes aplicados via foliar. Foram avaliadas a produção de matéria seca, número de flores por haste, número de ramificações laterais principais por haste, nutrientes absorvidos e análises químicas do solo após cada ciclo. No experimento de adubação suplementar, os tratamentos foram instalados após o primeiro ciclo da cultura em blocos casualizados, fatorial 4 x 4 com 4 repetições. As doses utilizadas como adubação suplementar à fertilização usada pelo produtor foram 86,57; 136,57; 161,28 e 186,23 kg ha -1 de N e 62,92; 106,72; 128,32 e 149,92 kg ha -1 de K e, no terceiro ciclo, 86,57; 164,38; 190,37 e 294, 57 kg ha -1 de N e 62,92; 124,12; 149,92 e 236,92 kg ha -1 de K. Os parâmetros avaliados foram a produção de matéria seca, absorção de nutrientes, número de flores e de ramificações laterais por haste e análise química do solo. No experimento em solução nutritiva, a maior produção de material seco de flores, hastes e folhas, os melhores valores dos parâmetros avaliados (altura, número de flores e ramificações laterais principais por haste) e as maiores concentrações e acúmulos da maioria dos macro e micronutrientes foi atingida com N1K1 (42 mg L -1 N, 39 mg L -1 K) no primeiro ciclo e com N1K3 (42 mg L -1 N; 234 mg L -1 K) no segundo ciclo. No experimento em solo, as produções de matéria seca, número de flores, ramificações laterais principais e exportação de nutrientes foram menores no terceiro ciclo. A fertilidade do solo manteve-se alta nos três ciclos, mas o K teve redução após o primeiro ciclo. As extrações de N e K não foram repostas pela adubação usual. As adubações suplementares com N e K no segundo ciclo apresentaram efeito apenas sobre a produção de matéria seca das flores, o teor de cálcio nas flores e folhas, o acúmulo de N nas flores, de K nas hastes, o teor e acúmulo de Cu nas hastes no segundo ciclo. Os teores de N nas flores e folhas, K e Ca nas folhas, o acúmulo de K nas flores, de P, Ca, Mg nas folhas, de N, Mg e S nas hastes, teor de B, Cu, Fe e Zn nas flores foram influenciados pelas adubações suplementares no terceiro ciclo. Os teores de potássio no solo apresentaram resposta linear com a fertilização suplementar potássica realizada após o terceiro ciclo. Mais estudos são necessários, principalmente quanto ao N e K, para um melhor desenvolvimento da cultura em condições de tropicais. / Aster ericoides is ornamental plant with great production potential in Brazil. Very little information exists nutrition and fertilization of horticultural plants in tropical countries. The objectives were to study application rates of nitrogen and potassium on production and nutrients absorption in soiless culture and commercial production; nutrition and production evaluation in 3 cycle in commercial production Aster ericoides (White Master). Two experiments were mounted: soiless culture (greenhouse) and soil (commercial greenhouse). The first experiment was a completed randomized block, with 4 replications, 4 rates of nitrogen addition (42, 112, 210 and 406 mg L -1 ) and 4 rates of potassium addition (39, 78, 234 e 468 mg L -1 ). Nutrient solution was added to 7 L pots with silica and 1 plant per pot. Seedlings transplantation was performed and harvest occured after 3 months. Dry matter production (flowers, leaves and stems), plant height, flower number, principal lateral shoots and nutrients absorption were evaluated. Optimum dry matter productio n, flower number and nutrient absorption was obtained with 42 mg L -1 N and 39 mg L -1 K in first cycle and 42 mg L -1 N and 234 mg L -1 K in second cycle. The soil experiment was performed under commercial conditions, Santo Antonio de Posse, Sao Paulo State. This experiment was divided in two parts: nutritional evaluation of production and additional N and K fertilization. Three phases of culture were evaluated with 600,000 plants per ha in first cycle and 400,000 plants per ha in the others cycles. Fertirrigaton was used in each cycle and it was applied 86.57 kg ha -1 N, 10.33 kg ha -1 P, 60.92 kg ha -1 K, 89.46 kg ha -1 Ca, 4.79 kg ha -1 Mg e 11.93 kg ha -1 S. Twelve stems were harvested in each plot (2.40m x 48.00 m area). Dry matter production, flower number and principal lateral shoots were worst in third cycle. Soil fertility was greatest at the third cycles but K levels were reduced after first harvest. N and K extraction was not replaced with standard fertilizer. For the second experiment, the first cycle received fertirrigation at usual nutrient rates. Treatments were initiated in the second cycle with a 4 x 4 fatorial experiment (4 rates of N and 4 rates of K) in randomized designed with 4 replications. N and K rates in second cycle were 86.57; 136.57; 161.28 e 186.23 kg ha -1 of N e 62.92; 106.72; 128.32 e 149.92 kg ha-1 K and in third cycle were 86.57; 164.38; 190.37 e 294.57 kg ha -1 N e 62.92; 124.12; 149.92 e 236.92 kg ha-1 K. Each fertilizer addition was divided into 10 aplications applied each week. Dry matter production (flower, stem and leaf), nutrient absorption, flower number, principal lateral shoots and soil chemical analysis were evaluated. Flower dry matter, calcium concentration in flowers and leaves, N accumulation in flowers and K accumulation in stems and Cu accumulation in stems were influenced by additional fertilization in second cycle. In third cycle, nutrient concentration for N, K, P, Ca and other nutrients were signifcantly higher due additional fertilization. More studies concerns about nitrogen and potassium fertilization could provide more informations regarding the development of Aster ericoides under tropical conditions.

Submitted by Sandra Pereira (srpereira@ufrrj.br) on 2017-03-23T14:47:27Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2016 - Jo?o Paulo de Lima Aguilar.pdf: 2057822 bytes, checksum: e5eac0160e0ba66e10d0af7b9cf5437f (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-03-23T14:47:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2016 - Jo?o Paulo de Lima Aguilar.pdf: 2057822 bytes, checksum: e5eac0160e0ba66e10d0af7b9cf5437f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-02-29 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cient?fico e Tecnol?gico - CNPq / This work was carried out in Area Horticulture, Crop Science Department of Agronomy Institute of the Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro. It was divided in to two stages, on initially in germination greenhouses and the second stage was performed in a protected environment. Statice seeds were inoculated with freeze-dried peat inoculant Azospirillum Sp245 (2,8x109 ufc g-1) as treatment concentration (Az), and compared to the control seeds, with out Azospirillum. In the first step, were seeded 18 polypropylene trays with 50 cells with a volume of 17ml each, with the substrate BIOMIX? seedlings. The following parameters were analyzed: percentage of germination (%Germ), root volume (RV), total length (CTT.), length of aerial parts (CPA), total of fresh material (MFT), total of dry material (MST), and length of roots (CR.).This step was planned in a completely randomized design. In the second stage, seeds were inoculated and sown in a protected environment, at the same time of the beginning of the first stage. They were divided into two plots of 20 m long with six blocks in each bed. Each treatment contained 21 plants. In the interval of 21 days, the plants were fertilized with ?torta de mamona? and ?Bokashi?, alternately with an average of 15 days between the applications. The parameters selected for evaluation were as follows: number of leaves(NF), root length (CR), shoot length (CPA), fresh matter of roots(MFR.), dry matter of root(MSR), root length(CR), root volume (RV), fresh matter of the aerial parts (MFPA), dry matter or aerial parts (MSPA), and rate between aerial part and roots(MSPA/MSR). The experiment began on August 15th2015andfinishedon November 28th2015. The first step lasted 42 days and the second step 63days, in a total of 105days. In the first step, the use of Azospirillum has influenced on all parameters. In the second step, the parameters: number of leaves, shoot/root ratio, fresh weigh to roots, dry wheight and root, and root volume were positively influenced by the treatment. We can cite three possible causes to explain why the other analyzes were not significant. The lack of water in certain periods; high temperature or heat stroke in plant closure period may have aborted the flower stalks; and competition with existing weeds in place, especially Cyperaceaae. The use Azospirillum Sp245 as inoculants proved to be avaliable alternative in the cultivation of statice (Limonium sinuatum) as a cut flower / Este trabalho foi realizado na ?rea de Horticultura, do departamento de Fitotecnia do Instituto de Agronomia da Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro. Foi dividido em duas etapas, uma inicial em estufas de germina??o e a segunda em ambiente protegido. Sementes de statice foram inoculadas com o inoculante turfoso contendo Azospirillum Sp245 (2,8x109 ufc g-1) como tratamento (Az) e comparadas com sementes n?o tratadas (inoculadas). Na primeira etapa de avali??o, foram semeadas 18 bandejas de polipropileno, com 50 c?lulas com volume de 17 ml, preenchidas com o substrato BIOMIX? mudas, sendo analisados os seguintes par?metros: percentual de germina??o (%Germ), volume de raiz (VR), comprimento total (CTT), comprimento da parte a?rea (CPA), mat?ria fresca total (MFT), mat?ria seca total (MST) e comprimento da raiz (CR). O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado. Na segunda etapa, sementes que foram inoculadas e semeadas na mesma ?poca do in?cio da primeira etapa, foram plantadas numa ?rea em ambiente protegido, divididos em dois canteiros com 20 m de comprimento e com seis blocos em cada canteiro. Cada tratamento continha 21 plantas. No intervalo de 21 dias, as plantas foram fertilizadas com torta de mamona e bokashi, alternadamente com uma m?dia de 15 dias entre as aplica??es. Os par?metros que foram selecionados para serem avaliados foram os seguintes:n?mero de folhas (NF), rela??o entre a parte a?rea e as ra?zes (RPA/RZ), comprimento da raiz (CR), comprimento parte a?rea (CPA), massa fresca da raiz (MFR), massa seca da raiz (MSR), comprimento da raiz (CR), volume da raiz (VR), massa fresca da parte a?rea (MFPA), massa seca da parte a?rea (MSPA), in?cio da produ??o das flores (IF), peso das hastes florais (PHF), n?mero de espiguetas (NE) e n?mero de flores por espigueta (NFE). O experimento teve in?cioem 15/08/2015 e foi finalizado em 28/11/2015. A primeira etapa foi avaliada durante 42 dias e a segunda etapa durante 63 dias, totalizando 105 dias. Na primeira etapa, o inoculante ? base de Azospirillum teve influ?ncia em todos os par?metros analisados. Na segunda etapa, os par?metros n?mero de folhas, rela??o parte a?rea/peso de raiz, massa fresca da raiz, massa seca da raiz e volume de raiz foram influenciados positivamente pelo tratamento.Podemos citar tr?s poss?veis causas para n?o haver signific?ncia nas outras an?lises: falta de ?gua em determinados per?odos; alta temperatura/insola??o no per?odo de fechamento das plantas, o que pode ter abortado as hastes florais; e a competi??o com as plantas espont?neas existentes no local, principalmente ciper?ceas. O uso do inoculante com a estirpe Sp245 de Azospirillum demostrou ser uma alternativa vi?vel no cultivo de statice (Limonium sinuatum) como flor de corte.

This study aims to improve transportation held between six auction centers, Inter-Auction Transportation, of FloraHolland. FloraHolland serves ninety eight percent of the Dutch market and is the largest auction in floriculture industry. The company wants to give the best sale opportunities with the costs as low as possible and this is the main initiative of this study. In this line of thought, FloraHolland wants to have a improvement on its current routing and scheduling mechanism. Exact models do not work due to the complexity and the size of the problem. Therefore, we developed a two-stage approach specific to this study. With this approach, we split exact approach into two, a mathematical model followed by a heuristic. In the exact approach, trucks are routed and scheduled at the same time. On the other hand, our solution approach first determines most efficient routes to be followed with Cycle Assignment Model and then, with Scheduling Heuristic, trucks are assigned to the routes, so within day transportation is planned in detail. Overall, each stage of this approach works in harmony and brings good solutions in a short CPU time.

According to the Urban Renewal Authority (URA) preservation project launched in 2009, the vibrant Flower Market in Mong Kok, a long-time industry production, wholesale and retail hub, is going to be remade into a heritage consumption area. The economic network of an entire industry is drastically re-commodified into consumable heritage space, with disregard to the socio-economic necessity of the Flower Market as a place for quotidian culture and economy, and flower cultivation as a significant part of agriculture in Hong Kong. Although the preservation project launched by the URA is still in land acquisition process by the time this dissertation is completed, gentrification around the Flower Market has already started. Business environment in the market is increasingly difficult because of this kind of urban renewal in the name of cultural preservation, without real regard for quotidian tradition, culture and way of life. Government policy and previous scholarship have paid little attention to the needs and contributions of producers and sellers in the flower industry in understanding the Mong Kok Flower Market heritage preservation project, which this research aims to rectify. This dissertation studies the history, operation and transformation of the Mong Kok Flower Market and flower cultivation in Hong Kong. Through investigating the power dynamics between ordinary people, local elites and the government in the process, this research discovers a kind of subjugated knowledge, purposely neglected, but is in fact of great importance to the understanding of how coloniality (colonial mentality) is embedded in the daily operations of power in colonial and postcolonial Hong Kong. This implies that the official end of colonialism does not automatically allow for the end of coloniality, which this research discovers to be still evidently embedded in Hong Kong’s “governmentality.” In fact, coloniality can be glimpsed through discovering its embedded operations in the daily operations and transformations of the Mong Kok Flower Market and flower cultivation in Hong Kong. My thesis engages in a process of decolonisation, which aims to explore embedded coloniality as a method of disclosing unarticulated and unconscious values and mentalities hidden in institutional practices that have been used to govern Hong Kong. The government has implanted this mentality in a process in which social injustice becomes institutionalised into well-accepted values in daily practice, and in this way, coloniality becomes normalised and legitimised. The government had deployed unjust social relations into executive protocols, bureaucratic procedures and laws governing the government and semi-governmental bodies affecting everyday life. The theoretical framework of this study is principally drawn from Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak and Ranajit Guha’s subaltern studies theories, which articulate the nature of subaltern people and their power dynamics vis-?-vis the elite. This study is structured through an examination of three aspects related to the flower industry: the first emphasises the dissipation of flower cultivation in the New Territories in relation to the collaboration between the government and the rural elites; the second highlights law enforcement patrols in the flower market wherein the government uses street management tactics rather than responding to the industry’s requests for a permanent wholesale market; and the third examines the heritage preservation of several buildings in the market and a revitalisation project in the vicinity as a way of beautifying the area, yet in these projects the government failed to engage the people in the industry in a democratic process of decision-making to determine the future of the market. My research explores three key issues relating to subaltern studies: (1) how coloniality is negotiated, articulated, forced and infused into the flower industry; (2) the impact of coloniality imposed on the flower industry through analysing its historic and cultural context; and (3) to what extent does the government use public policies (i.e. land policy, hawker control policy, heritage preservation policy) to facilitate the economic progress of the city. This study adopts a qualitative approach, using multiple methods such as textual analysis, ethnography including participant observation in the flower market, and semi-structured in-depth interviews with workers in the flower industry, including farmers, wholesalers, retailers and floral designers, etc. I performed participant observation through working as an assistant in a retail flower shop before Valentine’s Day which allowed me to gain first-hand information about flower shop operation and the customers’ perception of flowers. Through these approaches and methods my thesis explores the flower culture of Hong Kong and the power dynamics between the government, elites and ordinary people. The findings of the thesis reveal that the government often adopted negotiation as a means of governance. For instance, the government used various methods to incorporate local resistance as a way to facilitate development, but at the same time, ignored the needs of the flower industry, such as the need (1) to relax land administration rules which would have allowed larger pieces of land for flower cultivation, (2) to offer an appropriate site for a permanent flower market, and (3) to widen the pavement to solve the problem of street obstruction. Instead, the government managed people’s request for a permanent flower market. Law enforcement officers were employed to control the street and limit illegitimate use. I found that a hegemonic decision-making process prevailed, and the government tended to value professional advice but refused to seriously consider the voice of the people. These findings reveal the unwritten power dynamics between the government, elites and ordinary people and add variations to subaltern studies which merely focus on the agency of subalterns. This research is one of the first few local attempts to study the flower industry through its historical and cultural formation. By exploring the point of view of subaltern people vis-?-vis the power dynamics between the government and local elites in executive protocols, bureaucratic practices and laws, this research aims to adopt subaltern studies in understanding quotidian culture, and to make a significant contribution to postcolonial studies and urban studies. / published_or_final_version / Comparative Literature / Master / Master of Philosophy

As a result of globalisation, firms across both developed and developing countries are experiencing increased competition. Globalisation has both positive and negative consequences for firms, and the net effect may depend on the manner in which the country where a firm is located participates in the global market. Both the global commodity chain (GCC) and global value chain (GVC) approaches assess countries' integration (either successfully or unsuccessfully) into the global market. The international floriculture industry is one that is constantly changing and has a highly competitive environment. These challenges require that its participants be successfully integrated into the market and constantly improve their competitive positions. The South African floriculture industry has become more integrated into the global market since it opened up its economy in 1994. Both revenue and employment in this industry have increased since then. However, South Africa remains fairly uncompetitive compared with its African counterparts. The overall aim of this study was to assess the impact of the global floriculture industry on both the competitiveness of the South African floriculture industry and its integration into the global market. The GCC and GVC approaches were used in this assessment. The literature study provided background to these approaches in the context of globalisation. A detailed description was further given to the attributes and challenges of the global floriculture arena, together with a delineation of the South African floriculture industry. The empirical study was conducted through a mail-based questionnaire, which was mailed to the members of the South African Flower Export Council. The response rate of the survey was 59 per cent and can be considered high for a mail-based questionnaire. The responses were analysed according to the elements of the GVC and GCC approaches. This enabled an analysis of the global chains that the exporters form part of. Hence, it identified the role players and variables within these chains that influence the ultimate income of the floriculture industry. From the empirical findings it was possible to determine the South African export floriculture industry's strengths and weaknesses. The conclusion drawn was that the South African floriculture industry functions successful internationally, according to the elements of the GCC and GVC approaches. However, the industry does not participate to its full potential in the global market and lacks competitiveness. These findings supported the assumptions in the literature study. Once the South African floriculture exporters become more export-oriented (i.e. shift their focus from the domestic to the international market), the industry's competitiveness will enhance. Becoming further integrated into the global market by increasing both the volumes and values of their exports can do this. Ultimately the exporters will be able to move into better and more competitive global chains (i.e. export more directly). / Thesis (M.Com. (International Commerce))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.

This thesis investigated new strategies to increase both the control and cost efficiency of the biological control agent, Orius insidiosus Say (Orius), in greenhouse ornamental crops through the identification of an optimal banker plant species, a suitable source of supplemental food, and the identification of an attractive semiochemical lure. Seven plant species/cultivars were evaluated in laboratory and greenhouse bioassays to determine if the plants could provide: an acceptable food source; a location for oviposition; high nymphal survival and rapid development to the adult stage; and a host plant for sustainable population growth. Based on the results obtained overall, the Purple Flash ornamental pepper is the best candidate for use as a banker plant. Greenhouse and laboratory bioassays investigated the suitability of various supplemental food sources. In greenhouse trials, cattail pollen did not sustain a population of Orius on chrysanthemum plants but did significantly increase the population of the target pest, the western flower thrips. The addition of Ephestia kuehniella eggs or honeybee-collected pollen can increase the production of Orius on Purple Flash banker plants. Orius females fed on E. kuehniella eggs or honeybee-collected pollen laid the greatest numbers of eggs and lived significantly longer compared to those fed apple pollen, cattail pollen, corn pollen in laboratory bioassays. In laboratory olfactory assays and greenhouse release experiments, Orius showed the greatest response to olfactory cues associated with a neryl (S)-2-methylbutanoate lure over odours emitted from a methyl salicylate lure, a methyl isonicotinate lures or clean air. / OMAFRA-University of Guelph research partnership, OMAFRA-Highly Qualified Personnel (HQP) Scholarship Program, and MITACS Accelerate.