Effect of planting time and nitrogen levels on growth, flowering and bulb production of lilium cv. blackout

Abstract

An experiment was conducted at Horticulture farm, Nagaland University, Medziphema Campus, School of Agricultural Sciences and Rural Development, Nagaland to standardize the planting time and nitrogen requirement in lilium cv. Blackout. Three dates of planting (30th October, 15th November and 30th November) were taken and four levels of nitrogen (0, 100, 200 and 300 kg/ha) were applied in this experiment, and it was laid out in Factorial RBD with three replications. The results indicated that 30th October planting date and application of nitrogen @ 300kg/ha exhibited superior growth characters except for number of leaves which was recorded maximum in 15th November planting. The days required for bud emergence, bud colour visibility and first floret opening were reduced in 30th November planting while the highest dose of nitrogen delayed the days required for the same characters. The floral attributes viz. length and diameter of flowering shoot, length and diameter of flower bud, width of flower, number of flower buds per shoot, as well as bulb characters viz. weight and diameter of bulb, weight of bulblets and number of bulblets per bulb were found to be greatest with earlier planting and higher doses of nitrogen.