EFFECT OF MODIFIED STEINER NUTRIENT SOLUTION ON MACRONUTRIENT IN ASIATIC HYBRID LILIUM 'BRUNEL'

Abstract

In order to determine the effect of different concentrations of the universal Steiner nutrient solution on the Asiatic hybrid Lilium 'Brunel' grown in hydroponics under greenhouse a 3×3×3 factorial experiment was carried out. The studied factors were 1) (-30, -50, -70 kPa); 2) N-NH4+ relationship (0, 12.5 and 25% of the total of cation concentration), and 3) H2PO4- anions (80, 120 and 160% with respect to the concentration of this ion in the Steiner solution. The solution was provided daily with a pH ranging between 5.0-5.5. The culture substrate was a local volcanic tuff known as tezontle, whose particle diameter ranged from 1 to 7 mm. Micronutrient analyses to determine Mn, B, Zn, Cu, and Fe were carried out in stem, leaf, and flower. Analyses of variance and mean comparisons (Scheffe) were performed (P≤0.05). It was observed that the selection of levels was appropriate, since the mean level of each factor produced the largest values of B in leaf and Fe in leaf. In addition, with the level combination -70 kPa, 120% H2PO4-, and 0% N-NH4+ the largest concentrations of Mn, Fe, and B in flower, leaf or stem were found. It was also found that the concentration of H2PO4- was negatively related with the concentration of Mn in flower, and/or Fe in stem. Finally, the nutrient solution with the mean level of the three studied factors produced the largest concentration of Mn in the flower of Asiatic hybrid Lilium ‘Brunel’.