Enhancing early blooming and flower quality of tulip (Tulipa gesneriana Linn.) through application of plant growth regulators

Abstract

A study was carried out to investigate the effect of plant growth regulators on growth and flowering of tulip using two cultivars viz, Apeldoorn and Golden Oxford. The bulbs were given dip treatment in three different growth regulator solutions viz., indole acetic acid at 750, 500, and 250 ppm; 2-choloroethyl trimethyl ammonium chloride at 750, 500 and 250 ppm; 2,3,5 triiodobenzoic acid at 200, 150 and 100 ppm) along with control for two hours. Treated bulbs were then planted under open field conditions in three replications in randomized block design. The results revealed that treatment with indole acetic acid at a concentration of 500 ppm recorded minimum days to bulb sprouting, maximum plant height, number of leaves/plant, leaf area, leaf area index and scape length in both the cultivars as compared to control. The same treatment also recorded minimum days to floral bud appearance, colour break and flower opening, while 2-choloroethyl trimethyl ammonium chloride at a concentration of 500 ppm recorded maximum flower diameter, scape thickness, scape weight, flower duration and vase life in both cultivars as compared to control. It can thus be concluded that indole acetic acid was most effective for enhancing the early flowering and 2-choloroethyl trimethyl ammonium chloride improved most of the quality parameters of tulip. 2-choloroethy trimethyl ammonium chloride and 2,3,5 triiodobenzoic acid can be used for producing dwarf tulips suitable for bedding and pot plant production. Apeldoorn was observed to perform better than Golden Oxford for most of the characters. Key words: Growth, flowering, growth regulators, tulip.