Abstract
The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of different bulb removal dates during plant growth on growth and flowering of Asiatic hybrid lily cv. Brunello. The study was carried out in the nursery of Floriculture Unit, Baghdad University, Iraq, from January to April 2012. During plant growth, the bulbs were not removed (control) or removed four, six, eight and ten weeks after planting. The results revealed that buds number, flowers number, flower diameter and plant height were reduced while number of aborted buds increased when the bulbs were removed during active growth. The degree of bulb removal effect was dependent on date of bulb removal. The effect was severe when the bulbs were removed 8 weeks after planting at which time the plants were at the flower bud development; the plants were shorter and more sensitive to buds abortion and produced less flowers with smaller size compared to other treatments. It is necessary to perform further studies to clarify the relation between the bulb and plant development and to investigate the plant physiological and biochemical changes upon bulb removal during plant growth. Key words: Asiatic hybrid lily, growth, flowering, bulb removal.
Highlights
In "Liliaceae" family, there are nearly 250 genera, and 3500 species including the genus Lilium
The results revealed that buds number, flowers number, flower diameter and plant height were reduced while number of aborted buds increased when the bulbs were removed during active growth
The number of aborted buds per plant was higher significantly in six and eight weeks treatments compared to other treatments, and the maximum number of aborted buds was recorded in eight weeks treatment While the plants of control, four and ten weeks treatments had no problem of bud abortion (Figure 2)
Summary
In "Liliaceae" family, there are nearly 250 genera, and 3500 species including the genus Lilium. The subject of bulb and cut flower production in the genus Lilium had received considerable attention (Roh, 2011; Grassotti and Gimelli, 2011). Asiatic lily hybrids are flowering, herbaceous, perennial, monocot plants with concentric, non-tunicate bulbs that have stem roots and basal, contractile roots. The stem roots, produced between the bulb and soil surface, are feeding roots and are very important to growth (Turner et al, 1990). The bulb is a sink organ where starch is the dominant reserve energy source for plant growth. Several studies were reported regarding lily bulbs. Kim et al (2003) studied the effect of bulb scale removal before planting on growth and flowering of lily. Treder (2003) studied the effect of supplemental lighting on partitioning of carbohydrates in bulbs of oriental lily Several studies were reported regarding lily bulbs. Zheng et al (2012) tested the hypothesis that the plant growth retardants chlorocholine chloride and paclobutrazol could improve carbohydrate accumulation in lily bulbs by enhancing photosynthetic capacity and changing endogenous hormones. Kim et al (2003) studied the effect of bulb scale removal before planting on growth and flowering of lily. Treder (2003) studied the effect of supplemental lighting on partitioning of carbohydrates in bulbs of oriental lily
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