The objective of the present study was to evaluate the viability of four depths (equivalent to 75; 100; 125 and 150% of crop evapotranspiration) of wastewater from urban origin in production of gerbera (Gerbera jamesonni), commercial type Rambo and contrast the results obtained with those adopting conventional management (organic and chemical manuring and irrigation with urban supply water equivalent to 100% evapotranspiration). The experiment was conducted on a greenhouse of Universidade Federal de Campina Grande - PB - Brazil, during February to July 2006, during a complete cycle of production. The experimental design consisted of randomized blocks with three replications. The variables monitored were number of flowers buds and emission interval, number of flowers collected and interval of harvest, diameter of flowers and length of flower stems. For the monitored variables, only length of flower stem presented significant effect among the depths of irrigation with wastewater. The adoption of management with wastewater showed superiority for the variables evaluated in relation to conventional management except the length of flower stem. These results demonstrate that the use of wastewater constitutes an important source for supply of nutrients and water to gerbera crop increasing the potential of compatible productivity or better than the conventional production techniques.
flowers; fertigation; Gerbera jamesonni
