Efficacy of different primers on growth and yield of tulip (Tulipa gesneriana L.)

Effect of silicon and gibberellic acid on growth and flowering of gladiolus

This study was carried out from March/2005 to March/2007 to investigate the effect of Boron concentrations and magnetized water in flowering and tuberous roots production of Dahlia and Ranunculus. Plants were irrigated by either Tap water or magnetized water. Boron Concentrations tested were (0, 29.5, 59.0, 88.5) mg/ L. البحث مستل من رسالة ماجستیر للباحثة الثانیة Boron concentrations were improved most flowering and tuberous root characteristics. Dahlia plants, Boron levels fastened flowering date and enhanced no. and diameter of flowers; length and diameter of flowering stem; vase life; fresh weight of flowers and length and diameter of tuberous roots (188 days; 5.29 flower/plants; 6.57 cm; 24.04 cm; 2.76 mm; 9 days; 9.53 gm; 5.96 and 3.53 cm) respectively. Ranunculus plants, Boron levels increased no. and diameter of flowers; length and diameter of flowering stem; fresh and dry weight of flowers and length and diameter of tuberous roots (3.08 flowers/ plants; 6.18 cm; 29.38 cm; 3.01 mm; 2.43 gm; 0.39 gm; 2.32 cm and 3.24 cm) respectively. Flowering characters were improved by using magnetic water as well. Watering Dahlia plants by magnetized water increased no. and diameter of flowers; length and diameter of flowering stems and no.; length and diameter of tuberous roots. (5 flowers/plants; 6.93 cm; 23.38 cm; 2.76 mm; 11.54 root/plant; 5.66 cm and 3.25 cm) respectively. In addition, flowering characters of Ranunculs plants were enhanced. Number and diameter of flowers; length and diameter of flowering stems; vase life and length and diameter of tuberous root were increased (3.15 flowers/plant; 4.97 cm; 28 cm; 3.11 mm 10 days; 2.84 cm and 2.28 cm).

Plant growth regulators modulate the growth, physiology, and flower quality in rose (Rosa hybirda)

This study was carried out in the lath house of the Horticulture Department Nursery, College of Agriculture Engineering Sciences, Duhok University. Kurdistan region, Iraq, for the period from 5th 2024 to study the effect of different levels of Zn (0, 0.50 and 0.75) and different concentration of BA (0. 50, and 100) mgl-1 on some flowering and vase life of two cultivars of Zinnia plant. The results were as follows: The best results (fewest days) for the number of days from planting to bud emergence, and anthesis were obtained on Zinnia Lavanda (54.957 and 85.185) respectively. Also, these treatments were significantly superior in the other characteristics like flower stem length (cm), flower stem diameter (cm) and vase life (days) for Zinnia Lavanda cultivar reached (3.815 cm 8.169 cm 10.710 day) respectively. While the flower dry weight 1.429g and vase life 11.009 day was significantly increased when plant spraying with 0.75 % Zn compared with other treatments. The responses of the Zinnia plants to micro elements under study, significantly increased number of flowers per plant 4.389, flower stem diameter 0.437 cm, flower fresh weight 9.510 g and vase life 11.148 for the Zinnia Lavanda when spraying with 0.75% Zn compared to the control. While the maximum result about the flower stem length 87.310 cm, flower diameter 8.319 cm and flower dry weight 1.674 g for Zinnia rosso scarlatta when spraying with 0.75% Zn. Also, the best result of Zinnia Lavanda for number of flowers per plant, flower stem diameter, flower fresh weight and vase life (4.333, 0.405 cm, 10.462 g and 11.111 days) was obtained when the plant sprays with BA at (100 and 50) mgl-1 respectively compared with control and Zinnia rosso scarlatta. Maximum fresh flower weight (13.030 g) was recorded for plants grown in BA at 50 mgl-1+ 0.50% Zn treatment for the Zinnia Lavanda cultivar follow by 12.217g fresh flower weight for the same cultivar when spraying only 100 mgl-1 BA. Maximum dry flower weight (2.317 g) was recorded for Zinnia rosso scarlatta cultivar in control treatment. Maximum vase life (12.333 days) was recorded for Zinnia Lavanda cultivar in 0.75% Zn combined with 50 mgl-1 BA treatment.

A field experiment was conducted to find out effect of salicylic acid (SA), GA3, pinching and their interaction on the growth and flowering attributes of verbena × hybrida. Three concentration each of GA3 (100,150 and 200 ppm) and SA (100, 150 and 200 ppm) was foliar sprayed at 21 days after transplanting to run-off stage and pinching was done at 40 days with three replications set in Randomized Block Design. Pinching treatment recorded significantly maximum no. of primary branches/plant, stem diameter, fresh weight and dry weight of leaves, fresh leaf biomass, leaf area, flower longevity, fresh weight of flower, no. of spikes/plant and peduncle length. However, no. pinching treatment recorded maximum plant height, early bud initiation and early flowering. Spraying of GA3 100 ppm resulted in early bud initiation. GA3 150 ppm recorded fresh weight of leaves, fresh leaf biomass and bud cluster diameter. However, maximum plant height, leaf area, no. of spikes/plant and peduncle length was observed with GA3 at 200 ppm. Among various doses of salicylic acid, SA 100 ppm recorded maximum stem diameter. Early flowering, maximum fresh and dry weight of flower was seen with SA 150 ppm. SA 200 ppm resulted in maximum no. of primary branches/plant and flower diameter. Significant effect of interaction between pinching and plant growth chemicals (GA3 and SA) was observed in most of the growth and flowering attributes.

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of gibberellic acid on flowering and cut flower yield in gerbera cv. ALCOCHETE under protected condition using various gibberellic acid levels viz., GA3 at 50, 100 and 150 ppm. The experiment was conducted in Completely Randomized Block Design with three replications. The results revealed that GA3 at 100 ppm performed better for flowering span (138.75 days), length of flower stalk (54.32 cm), flower stalk thickness (6.28 cm), number of ray florets per flower (189.67). In case of yield parameters, the same treatment was found better for fresh and dry weight of cut flower (40.99 and 13.49 g, respectively), number of cut flowers per plant (8.02), per square meter (80.20) and yield of flowers (16.04 lacs/ha). Whereas, GA3 at 150 ppm recorded the lowest number of days to the appearance of first flower bud and opening the first flower (50.98 and 57.57 days, respectively), diameter of flower (11.37 cm), longevity (15.29 days) and vase life (10.00 days). While, GA3 at 50 ppm was found for poorest response in all parameters.

Pulsing with gibberellic acid followed by continuous sucrose treatment enhanced flower longevity and flower bud opening in cut Polianthes tuberosa L. cv. Double. Pulsing with gibberellic acid at 10 or 20 mg/L plus 8-hydroxyquinoline sulfate (200 mg/L) for 24 h followed by continuous sucrose treatments (4 or 8%) plus 8-hydroxyquinoline sulfate extended the vase life and significantly promoted flower bud opening as compared with the 8-hydroxyquinoline sulfate controls. A pulse with a higher concentration of gibberellic acid (50 mg/L) followed by sucrose solutions did not increase vase life or enhance flower bud opening greater than those pulsed with gibberellic acid at 10 or 20 mg/L followed by 8-hydroxyquinoline sulfate. A gibberellic acid (10, 20 or 50 mg/L) pulse followed by 8-hydroxyquinoline sulfate holding solution had little effect on longevity and flower bud opening in comparison to 8-hydroxyquinoline sulfate controls. Similarly, continuous sucrose treatment at 4 or 8% without a gibberellic acid-pulsed treatment also showed little effect on vase life and flower bud opening. Cut P. tuberosa treated with a gibberellic acid pulse followed by 8-hydroxyquinoline sulfate produced more ethylene than those treated with 8-hydroxyquinoline sulfate alone. Ethylene production from flowers pulsed with gibberellic acid followed by sucrose was low when compared with controls or those pulsed with gibberellic acid alone. Cut stems continuously placed in solutions containing sucrose produced less ethylene than those without sucrose. It is suggested that a gibberellic acid pulse at 10 mg/L followed by continuous sucrose treatment at 4% be recommended to growers for extending the vase life and enhancing flower bud opening in cut P. tuberosa.

The present investigation was carried out during the winter season of 2021-22 at the Horticulture Research Block, Janta Vedic College, Baraut, Baghpat, to evaluate the effect of exogenous application of gibberellic acid (GA₃) and salicylic acid (SA) on the postharvest quality and seed attributes of French marigold (Tagetes patula L.) cv. Pusa Arpita. The experiment comprised eight treatments and one control, laid out in a randomized block design. The treatments consisted of varying concentrations of GA3 (100 ppm and 150 ppm) and SA (150 ppm and 300 ppm), applied both individually and in combination. Results indicated significant improvement in flower diameter, fresh and dry weight of flowers, shelf life, seed yield per plant and 1000 seeds weight across treatments compared to the control. The combined application of GA₃ and SA i.e. T7 (GA₃150 ppm + SA 150 ppm) recorded the highest values for flower diameter (4.53 cm), fresh weight of flower (4.68 g) and dry weight of flower (0.89 g), whereas treatment T8 (GA₃150 ppm + SA 300 ppm) recorded maximum shelf life (5.50 days), seed yield per plant (4.76 g) and 1000 seeds weight (2.84 g). The individual application of GA₃ (150 ppm) or SA (300 ppm) also demonstrated significant improvements compared to the control, albeit less pronounced than the combined treatments. The study concludes that the combined effect of GA₃ and SA effectively enhances both postharvest flower quality and seed attributes in French marigold cultivation, suggesting potential strategies for optimizing growth regulator applications to improve ornamental and seed production traits.

Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) is one of the important medicinal plants grown for its valuable flowers from which oil is extracted which contains high pharmaceutical value. Plant bio-regulators can be effectively used to enhance both vegetative as well as flowering attributes. Plants were foliarly treated with IAA, GA3 and NAA at three concentrations (25, 50 and 100 ppm) which improved floral parameters like days taken to first bud initiation, flower diameter (cm), number of flowers per plant and fresh and dry weight of flowers per plant (g). Among the different treatments, GA3 at 100 ppm was found to be best treatment for most of the parameters viz. days taken to first bud initiation (15.53), flower diameter (2.57 cm), number of flowers per plant (268.93), fresh weight of flowers per plant (35.56 g) and dry weight of flowers per plant (6.96 g), whereas NAA at 100 ppm proved to be the best for stem diameter (6.76 mm). GA3 @ 100 ppm was found to be the most effective for most of the vegetative and floral characteristics of chamomile cv. CIM Sammohak.

The present investigation was carried out to understand the impact of dynamic interventions for programmed Lilium (Lilium longiflorum L.) production in container system at Model Floriculture Centre, Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar, India during 2014–15. The experiment was laid out in completely randomized design ensuring uniformity to all the treatments. The effects of the substrates on flowering and bulbous attributes were examined during course of investigation. Enriched cocopeat substrate (T2) demonstrated significant effect in flowering attributes like plant height (108.66 cm), stem diameter (8.77 mm), number of flower buds (7.26), flower bud length (10.46 cm), flower bud diameter (31.52 mm), flower diameter (14.29 cm) and vase life (10.73 days). However, number of days to bud appearance (35.40) and number of days to first flower opening (66.53) were maximum with soil enriched substrate (T1). Among bulbous characteristics, bulb diameter (52.07 mm), bulb weight (56.24 g), number of bulblets (3.46), stem roots (15.26 cm) and basal roots length (25.12 cm) were found maximum with T2 treated plants. Among the potting media, 100% cocopeat (T2) showed overall positive influence on growth, flowering and bulbous attributes as compared to control (T1) and other treatments. Findings of this study recommended that substrate enriched with cocopeat (100%) was best suitable for programmed lilium production in container system.

Tulip (Tulipa gesneriana L.) is a fascinating bulbous cut flower, and also used for potting, bedding, and border purpose. However, under the sub-tropical climatic conditions, quality tulip flower production is severely affected by its non-uniform bulb sprouting, lack or erratic flowering, small flower stalk, and short vase life. Hence, this study was performed to evaluate the potential of gibberellic acid (GA3) on sprouting, vegetative growth, flowering, flower quality, and vase life, including different bulb characteristics of ‘Ad-Rem’ tulip. Tulip bulbs were dipped in aqueous solution of different GA3 concentrations (0, 50, 75, 100, 125, and 150 mg L-1) for 30 min with Tween-20 (0.01%) as a surfactant. Tulip bulbs treated with 100 mg·L-1 GA3 sprouted in significantly less number of days, exhibited higher sprouting percentage, more plant height, leaf area, leaf chlorophyll, photosynthesis rate, flower stalk length, stalk diameter, and fresh and dry flower stalk weight. Moreover, 100 mg·L-1 GA3 application also decreased overall flower emergence time, increased flower size, produced attractive, glowing, and sturdy flowers with increased quality, and extended the vase life of ‘Ad-Rem’ tulip flowers up to 2.9-folds. However, 150 mg·L-1 GA3 application exhibited better results regarding daughter bulblets per clump with a subsequent increase in bulb diameter, and weight compared to other treatments. Additionally, significant correlation was also found among different growth, flower, and bulb characteristics of GA3-treated tulip plants. Hence, 100-150 mg·L-1 pre-planting exogenous application of GA3 may be effective for quality tulip production under the sub-tropical climatic conditions.

The calla lily cut flower (Zantedeschia aethiopica cv. ‘Romance’), with a white spathe, is a significant ornamental flower. There is a growing interest in developing cost-effective and eco-friendly preservative solutions to extend vase life. The Ornamental Plants and Landscape Gardening Research Department, Horticulture Research Institute, Giza, Egypt, conducted this study in the postharvest laboratory during the 2020 and 2021 to examine the effects of various holding solutions, both individually and in combination, including distilled water (DW) as a control, eucalyptus oil (EO) at concentrations of 1 and 2 mL/L, humic acid (HA) at 25 and 50 mL/L, sucrose (Suc) at 20 g/L, 8-hydroxyquinoline citrate (HQ) at 0.2 g/L, citric acid (CA) at 0.2 g/L, and gibberellic acid (GA3) at 0.05 g/L. The results showed that all holding solutions significantly improved the measured characteristics compared to distilled water. It’s worth mentioning that putting cut flowers in a solution with humic acid at 25 mL/L, either alone or with sucrose at 20 g/L and citric acid at 0.2 g/L, made the flowers last longer, look better, and have higher flower fresh weight (IFFW%), relative fresh weight (RFW%), water uptake rate (mL), and total carbohydrate content (%). During both seasons, humic acid (50 or 25 mL/L) as a single treatment yielded the highest phenol content followed by eucalyptus oil (2 mL/L).

The pot experiment was conducted during the two consecutive seasons of 2016 and 2017 in plastic house at Horticulture Research Station, Mansoura, Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt as pre-harvest treatments. The main objective of the first experiment was to study the effect of two rates of adenosine triphosphate(0.0 and 7.0 g/l) alone or combined with potassium nitrate at the dose of 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10.0 g/pot, on vegetative growth, flowering and chemical constituents of gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii). The highest values of plant height, number of leaves per plant, leaf area, number of flowers per plant, flower diameter, stalk length as well as the contents of total chlorophyll, carbohydrates, N, P, and K in plants were achieved with adenosine triphosphate(ATP) at 7 g/l as weekly foliar spray with significant difference compared to control. Also, increasing potassium nitrate from 2.5 up to 10.0 g/pot gradually increased the above mentioned parameters during both seasons. Furthermore, using the highest doses of potassium (7.5 and 10.0 g/pot) in interaction with ATP at 7 g/l significantly increased gerbera growth, flowering and chemical constituents compared to untreated plants and the other interaction treatments. From the first experiment the best interaction treatments were 7.5 and 10.0 g potassium nitrate/pot plus1 7 g ATP/l, these treatments were in the second experiment to study the effect of different pulsing solutions on flower vase life, solution uptake and flower fresh weight of gerbera. The obtained results revealed that, the longest vase life of gerbera and the highest quality cut flowers were obtained by using the combination treatments between (7.5 g potassium nitrate/pot + 7 g ATP/l) combined with 3% sucrose + 8-HQS at 200 ppm as holding solution. By studying simple correlation coefficients, gerbera cut flowers vase life exhibited strong positive relationship with each of water uptake and flower fresh weight which, indicated that the increase in these parameters was accompanied by increasing vase life of gerbera cut flowers under the effect of interaction treatments of pre and postharvest.

The spray carnation seedlings obtained from the cuttings stored at 4°C during 55 days at cool storage and unstored were transferred to a greenhouse environment and the effects of different doses of Fe-EDTA (50, 100, 200, 300 mg L -1 ) applied via foliar application on the fresh and dry weight of leaf, stem and flowers of plants and the number of flowers per plants were investigated. At the end of the growing season, the effects of storing conditions on the leaf dry weight of the plant and of the Fe-EDTA application on the stem fresh weight and number of flowers per plant were found statistically significant. There were no clear effects observed from Fe-EDTA application on the fresh and dry weight of flowers.

Among eight Carnation varieties viz. Diana, Aurturo, White Dona, Pink Dona, Soto, Red King, Tuareg and Dona., evaluated under naturally ventilated greenhouse and subjected to uniform treatment and cultural package of practices, the variety Red King was found best with respect to number of branches (8.0), number of flowers/plant (35.6), fresh weight of flower (8.38 g), dry weight of flower (2.66 g), flower diameter (7.83 cm) and vase life an important post harvest quality parameter was observed to be the superior in variety Red King (29.3 days) followed by cv Tuareg (24 days) and Pink Dona (21.3 days). On the basis of present experiment it was concluded that cultivar Red King were found to be promising with respect to yield as well as flower quality parameters and found suitable for commercial cultivation under naturally ventilated green house in mid hills of Kumaon Himalayas. Key words: Carnation, greenhouse, varieties, vase life.