Bulb Size Interacts with Lifting Term in Determining the Quality of Narcissus Poeticus L. Propagation Material

Katalin Angéla Slezák,Justyna Mazur,Anna Kapczyńska,Aleš Jezdinský

doi:10.3390/agronomy10070975

Katalin Angéla Slezák, Justyna Mazur + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10070975

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Abstract

Geophytes are an increasingly widely used group of plants. Its high biodiversity, however, significantly impacts the cultivation process. Therefore, every new insight into the behavioral aspects of each single species is crucial for production. This study, for the first time, aims at contributing to a better understanding of the interplay between the bulb size potential of Narcissus poeticus and the pattern of bulb lifting time to find the optimal combination of these factors in obtaining the best quality propagation material. Twelve bulb size groups were examined. Plants were planted in the open air in two locations of Central East Europe and lifted in three terms: immediately and two and four weeks after flowering. Bulb fresh and dry weight, as well as leaf, root and total plant dry weight, increased with growing bulb size and delayed the time of lifting. The bulb weight increase indicator was twice as high for bulbs lifted in the third date compared to those lifted earlier. Its value was the highest for the smallest bulbs. Bulb shape ratio gradually decreased together with the increase of bulb weight and later lifting term. Principal components analysis allowed singling out two principal components that accounted for 86.58% of total variability.

Highlights

Species belonging to the genus Narcissus (Amaryllidaceae) are known and appreciated ornamental plants worldwide
The effect of bulb size and lifting term on the quality of Narcissus poeticus propagation material have to our knowledge not been reported before
Our experiment shows that Narcissus poeticus leaves (TA) and roots (DW) exhibit active growth until two a ab a-c c-e c-e f-j h-j h-k i-l i-l i-m k-m a a-c b-d d-f i-l j-m k-o o-s tu m-p o-s f-i weeks from0 flowering, while growth of bulbs (DW, fresh weight (FW))

Summary

Introduction

Species belonging to the genus Narcissus (Amaryllidaceae) are known and appreciated ornamental plants worldwide. The most popular are cultivars of the Pseudonarcissus section (e.g., N. pseudonarcissus L.). Hermione section (N. tazetta L.) [1,2]. Narcissus poeticus cultivars have been cultivated as ornamentals since the beginning of the 20th century and nowadays are still clearly desirable because of their unique decorative and sensory values. The species is included in the Narcissus section [1]. It is characterized by the latest flowering date within the genus, pure white perianth segments and a very short light-yellow corona with a distinct reddish edge. N. poeticus is a spring-flowering plant, producing usually one fragrant flower (uncommon feature) per stem [3].

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