DROUGHT TOLERANT PLANTS Drought Tolerance Trials French Trials Stations Summer 2020
Market demand for drought tolerant plants Answering the demand of their members, growers, landscapers and municipalities, two French trial stations of the National Organization ASTREDHOR-Institut Technique de l’Horticulture, decided to start a research on drought tolerance and set up their first trial during summer 2020. As partner of the ASTREDHOR Institute, PanAmerican Seed is happy to have participated to these trials, and thanks both ASTREDHOR-RATHO and ASTREDHOR Sud-Ouest for their authorization of sharing the results and photos from their 2020 Trials.
ASTREDHOR AURA RATHO Station, South East of France Trial station RATHO of the French National organization ASTREDHOR, set up a 2020 summer drought tolerance trial, in these conditions: - planting outside week 21, - 3 plants per 20L pots, full sun, - 4 waterings per week, with 25% less volume for drought simulation. The following PanAmerican Seed varieties have been successfully tested in this trial: Angelonia angustifolia Serena Purple Imp Catharanthus roseus - Vinca Valiant Magenta Dianthus interspecific Jolt Cherry Pentas lanceolata Lucky Star Mix Perovskia atriplicifolia Blue Steel Salvia canariensis Lancelot
ASTREDHOR AURA RATHO Station, South East of France Angelonia Serena Purple Improved
Week 27 – July 2nd (left) to week 38 – Sept 16th (right) in drought conditions (75% watering)
Week 27
Photo taken by Ratho week 31
Week 38
ASTREDHOR AURA RATHO Station, South East of France Dianthus Jolt Cherry
Week 27 – July 2nd (left) to week 38 – Sept 16th (right) in drought conditions (75% watering)
Week 27
Week 38
ASTREDHOR AURA RATHO Station, South East of France Pentas Lucky Star Mix
Week 27 (left) and week 38 (right) in drought conditions (75% watering)
Week 27
Week 38
ASTREDHOR AURA RATHO Station, South East of France Perovskia Blue Steel
Week 27 (left) to week 38 (right) in drought conditions (75% watering)
Week 38 Week 27
Photo taken by Ratho week 31
ASTREDHOR AURA RATHO Station, South East of France Salvia Lancelot
Week 27 (left) and week 38 (right) top in normal watering conditions and bottom in drought conditions (75% watering)
Week 38, normal watering conditions
Week 27 Week 38, drought conditions
ASTREDHOR AURA RATHO Station, South East of France Vinca Valiant Magenta
Week 27 (left) to week 38 (right), in drought conditions (75% watering)
Week 27
Photo taken by Ratho week 31
Week 38
ASTREDHOR AURA RATHO Station, final results presentation
ASTREDHOR Sud Ouest Station, South West of France At the same time, trial station ASTREDHOR Sud Ouest – GIE Fleurs & Plantes, set up a drought tolerance trial, in these conditions: - planting week 24, full sun, - 3 large planter boxes with 5 plants per 1m2, - 1 daily watering, with 45% less volume for drought simulation.
The following PanAmerican Seed varieties have been tested in this trial: Alternanthera brasiliana Purple Prince Capsicum annuum – Ornamental pepper Black Pearl Catharanthus roseus - Titan Mix Dianthus intersp Jolt Dichondra argentea Silver Falls Echinacea Artisan Red Ombre Gazania rigens New Day Helenium amarum Dakota Gold Helichrysum microphylum Silver Mist Hibiscus acetosella Mahogany Splendor Pentas lanceolata Lucky Star Perovskia atriplicifolia Blue Steel Tagetes erecta – AF Marigold Marvel Talinum paniculatum Verde Zinnia marylandica Zahara Mix
ASTREDHOR Sud Ouest Station, South West of France Week 30 – Normal watering (left) VS drought simulation (55% watering)
ASTREDHOR Sud Ouest Station, South West of France Week 36 – Normal watering (left) VS drought simulation (55% watering)
Photo taken by Astredhor SO week 36
Photo taken by Astredhor SO week 36
ASTREDHOR Sud Ouest Station, South West of France Week 36 – Plants in drought conditions, with 55% watering compared to normal conditions:
Perovskia atriplicifolia Blue Steel Capsicum annuum – Ornamental pepper Black Pearl Dianthus intersp Jolt Hibiscus acetosella Mahogany Splendor Talinum paniculatum Verde Alternanthera brasiliana Purple Prince
ASTREDHOR Sud Ouest Station, South West of France Week 36 – Plants in drought simulation, with 55% watering compared to normal conditions: Dianthus intersp Jolt Tagetes erecta – AF Marigold Marvel Echinacea Artisan Red Ombre Gazania rigens New Day Yellow Perovskia atriplicifolia Blue Steel Helichrysum microphylum Silver Mist Helenium amarum Dakota Gold Pentas lanceolata Lucky Star Zinnia marylandica Zahara
ASTREDHOR Sud Ouest Station, South West of France And the winner is…