Abstract
Lilium and tuberose are promising geophytic flowers, which have high market demand in global floral markets. A study was conducted to optimize planting densities for cut lilium and tuberose production. Bulbs of Asiatic lily ‘Brunello’ and tuberose ‘Single’ were planted on 7.5 cm, 15.0 cm and 22.5 cm between bulbs while ridge were spaced at 60 cm apart. Lilium bulbs planted at 22.5 cm took 185 d, while tuberose took 101 d to produce flowers as compared to 7.5 cm spacing (173 d and 93 d, respectively). Bulbs of lilium and tuberose planted at 22.5 cm resulted in tallest plants with highest leaf area for both tested species, 69.1 cm and 11.4 cm2 for lilium and 110.6 cm and 30.2 cm2 for tuberose, respectively. Both species had highest number of florets with longer stem/ spike length and stem/spike diameter when planted 22.5 cm apart, while close planting further decrease number of buds/florets and stem/spike length. Similar results were recorded for fresh weight of a stem, while vase life and dry weight of a stem were relatively less affected by plant spacing. However, lilium and tuberose bulbs when planted at 22.5 cm plant spacing produced higher number of best quality stems for market as compared to other planting densities.
Highlights
Lilium L. hybrids and Polianthes tuberosa L. members of family Liliaceae and Amaryllidaceae, respectively, are major bulbous crops which are being grown as cut flowers all over the world (Huang et al, 2001; Saifullah et al, 2010)
Bulbs spaced at 22.5 cm produced tallest plants (69.1 cm) with greatest leaf area (11.4 cm2) and highest leaf total chlorophyll contents (70.1 SPAD) (Table 1)
Flower diameter and vase life were not affected by plant spacing (Table 1)
Summary
Lilium L. hybrids and Polianthes tuberosa L. (tuberose) members of family Liliaceae and Amaryllidaceae, respectively, are major bulbous crops which are being grown as cut flowers all over the world (Huang et al, 2001; Saifullah et al, 2010). Lilium is one of the leading cut flowers all over the world, which ranks 7th among cut flowers in the world in terms of auction turnover. It is cultivated on an area of 5,172 ha with Netherlands leading with 4,280 ha (Buschman, 2005). There has been a big market demand for exotic cultivars of Lilium in Pakistan due to their majestic long slender perfumed and showy flowers, and these are being imported in ever increasing quantities. Pakistani areas with cool temperate winter have the potential for commercial cultivation of this fabulous exotic plant on large scale to diversify and improve local cut flower industry. Tuberose is the only bulbous cut flower which is available during hot summer months and is a hardy bulbous cut flower (Ahmad et al, 2009; Asif et al, 2016)
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