ABSTRACT
Two field trials were carried out at the Experimental Farm of Horticulture and the Laboratory of Agriculture Botany Dept., Fac. of Agric., Benha Univ., during 2006 and 2007 seasons, to study the effect of 16 treatments represented the combination between four concentrations of GA3( 0.0, 50, 100 and 200 ppm.) and four levels of Stimufol fertilizer( 0.0, 2, 4 and 6 g/L) on the vegetative growth, flowering, anatomical measurements and chemical composition of Hemerocallis aurantiaca plant.
The three concentrations of GA3 statistically affected vegetative growth parameters i.e., (number of leaves/plant, fresh and dry weights of leaves/plant and number of offshoots/clumb), flowering growth parameters i.e., (number of days from planting to start flowering, number of inflorescence, first flower diameter, flower stalk length, diameter, fresh and dry weights of flower stalk) and chemical composition parameters i.e., (total carbohydrates, N, P and K content) with superior to the medium and high rates.
Also, all levels of Stimufol fertilizer significantly improved all the aforementioned parameters, especially using the medium and high levels.
Additionally, most the combinations between GA3 concentrations and levels of Stimufol fertilizer improved all the studied parameters, particularly using the combinations between GA3 at 100 or 200 ppm and Stimufol fertilizer at 4 or 6 g/L in both seasons.
As for the anatomical studies, several alternations were existed with different applied treatments. Most of the combinations between GA3 concentrations and levels of Stimufol fertilizer gave the highest parameters in transfer sections of leaf blade and flower stalk compared with the control. The effective treatment was GA3 at 200 ppm and Stimufol fertilizer at 6 g/L.
Conclusively, from the aforementioned results, it could be recommended that spray Hemerocallis aurantiaca plant three times at three week intervals with the combined treatment of GA3 at 200 ppm and Stimufol at 6 g/L to obtain the best vegetative and flowering characteristics with high quality.
INTRODUCTION
The flowering bulbous plants are considered as a group of the most beautiful adjuncts for garden decoration. They are used particularly in landscape, production of commercial cut-flowers and act as a source of glorious colors and perfumes. Hemerocallis aurantiaca, Baker ( Hemero, a day; kallos, beauty; in reference to the flowers being fresh only for only day or so) belongs closely to Fam. Asphodlaceae not to Fam. Liliaceae, is a very short rhizome with numerous more or less tuberous and fleshy roots, native to Japan and commonly known as golden summer daylily or orange daylily. It is well known for its hardiness and showy blooms produced during spring and summer (Oganejova,1990).
Hemerocallis is an indispensable choice for woodland and landscape gardens, when grown in the background or herbaceous borders, in front of a shrubbery or a long the sides of ponds or streams, a highly delightful effect is produced. Daylily is also used as a cut flower. (Bose and Yadav, 1989). Most bulbs need more than two applications of fertilizers during the growing season, but the most important point is that the greatest increase in size and weight of the new developing bulb takes place in the period during and mostly after flowering, as long as the foliage remains in good condition. Thus, fertilization must continue for good vegetative growth to produce a good flower and large new mature bulbs (Rees, 1992). In this concern, Manoly (1996) and Naglaa and Kandeel (2001) demonstrated that spraying iris plants with foliar fertilizers (containing macro and micro elements) produced the best results for flowering parameters. In addition, Abou-Dahab (1996) reported that most of foliar commercial fertilizers used (Irral, All-Grow, Kristalon, Stimofort and Sangoral) improved the growth of schefflera plants. Shahin (1998) claimed that spraying Hemerocallis aurantioca plants with greenzit (foliar fertilizer containing macro and micro elements ) at the rates of 1, 3 or 5cm3 per liter caused a considerable increase in vegetative and flowering growth as well as leaf chemical composition determinations. Plant growth and development are greatly influenced by chemical growth substances. The stimulatory effect of gibberellins application on growth and flowering of the different ornamental plants has been indicated by several researchers. In this concern, Singh et al.,(1994) on Dahlia variables , Naglaa and Kandeel (2001) on iris andYoussof (2004) on Strelitzia reginae plants found that spraying with GA3 at 100 or 200 ppm improved vegetative growth parameters (number of leaves and offsets, plant height, fresh and dry weights of leaves) as well as flowering growth parameters (number, length, fresh and dry weights of flowers/plant).In addition, Abou-Elela (2007) showed that spraying Acanthus mollis plant with GA3 enhanced vegetative and flowering growth measurements.
The present work is an attempt to increase the production of this plant, to prolong the flowering period and increase the quality and quantity of flowers, especially during summer months.
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