Pre-harvest foliar application of humic acid, salicylic acid and calcium chloride to increase quantitative and qualitative traits of Lilium longiflorum cut flowers

Abstract

Lily (Lilium longiflorum L.) is one of the most important potted flowers, which is used largely as cut flower. An experiment, arranged as a factorial besed on completely randomized dasign with three replications, was carried out to evaluate the effects of pre-harvest foliar application of humic acid, salicylic acid and calcium chloride on quality and longevity of lilium cut flowers. Treatments included humic acid as factor a (0, 100, 500 and 1000 mg/L) and three salicylic acid concentrations (0, 150 and 200 mg/L) and two calcium chloride concentrations (300 and 600 mg/L) as factor b, which were sprayed at two stages before harvesting the flowers. Results showed that treating the plants with 500 mg/L humic acid increased water uptake and chlorophyll a content and decreased number of fallen florets. Application of 1000 mg/L humic acid increased total chlorophyll content. Pre-harvest treatment of flowers with 600 mg/L calcium chloride increased florets’ diameter, relative water content, chlorophyll b content and shelf life, as compared to other concentrations and different salicylic concentrations. In this research, the highest shelf life was observed for flowers sprayed with 1000 mg/L humic acid and 300 mg/L calcium chloride. Therefore, pre-harvest foliar application of humic acid, salicylic acid and calcium chloride could have positive effects on quantitative and qualitative traits of lilium cut flowers.