Effect of foliar application of zinc and iron on growth, flowering and post-harvest life in lilium cv. Navona

Abstract

A research was conducted India to evaluate the necessity of micronutrients such as zinc and iron on growth, flowering and postharvest attributes in Asiatic lilium cv. Navona. The experiment comprised nine treatments, viz., ZnSO4 0.2%, ZnSO4 0.4%, FeSO4 0.2%, FeSO4 0.4%, ZnSO4 0.2% + FeSO4 0.2%, ZnSO4 0.2% + FeSO4 0.4%, ZnSO4 0.4% + FeSO4 0.2%, ZnSO4 0.4% + FeSO4 0.4% and control (distilled water) in a randomized block design with three replications. Significant effect was observed with the application of ZnSO4 0.4% + FeSO4 0.4%, which increased No. of leaves/plant, stem diameter, plant height, fresh and dry weight of leaves/plant, leaf area, chlorophyll content, No. of flower buds/plant, flower stalk length, pedicel length, diameter of 1st flower, longevity of 1st, 2nd and 3rd flower, No. of buds opened, No. of buds opened at a time in vase, stem weight on 1st, 3rd and 5th day, and weight of stem after withering. Early flower colour show and days to opening of 1st bud were exhibited with ZnSO4 0.2% + FeSO4 0.4%, which was statistically at par with ZnSO4 0.2% + FeSO4 0.4% treatment. In general both individual and combined doses of zinc sulphate and iron sulphate gave significant results over control.