Study of the Response of Leucojum aestivum L. Bulbs Collected from Different Regions to Organic and Biological Fertilizers under Field Conditions

Abstract

Leucojum aestivum L. is a perennial and bulbous plant. Its bulbs are used in the medical industry because of having alkaloids. This study was conducted as split plot in a completely randomized design with 3 replications in 2018 at the University of Gilan in field conditions. The main factor included bulbs collected from three regions of Lahijan, Tonekabon and Langrood. The sub-factor included 10 levels of organic fertilizers, biochar (3, 6 and 12 tons per hectare), inoculation of Glomus intraradices, Glomus mosseae and Glomus intraradices + Glomus mosseae fungi, inoculation of Azospirillum, Azotobacter and Pseudomonas bacteria and the control. Data collected and analysed for morphological traits and absorbed macro and micro as elements by plants. There was significant difference between genotypes in terms of the plant height, leaf area per plant, leaf weight per plant, bulb weight, flowering stem weight, root weight and total plant weight (p<0.01). A significant difference was observed in the types of fertilizers used for all morphological traits and yield (p<0.01) and for phosphorus, potassium and iron content (p<0.05). The genotype by treatments interaction effect was significant for leaf number, leaf area per plant, leaf weight per plant, bulb weight, flowering stem weight, root weight and total weight showed a difference (p<0.01). Lahijan genotype plants had the highest plant height (57.6 cm), leaf length (52.5 cm) and plant leaf weight (27.2 g/per plant). The highest root weight (9.5 g) and total plant weight (74.1 g/per plant) was for biochar treatment of 12 ton/h. The study results indicated that Leucojum aestivum L. had good adaptation to crop conditions, and using biochar fertilizer and some biofertilizers improved various crop traits of this plant.