Author(s): M. A. WANI, I. T. NAZKI, A. A. SHEIKH, A. DIN, T. A. BHAT AND R. A. WANI

Abstract: Lilium is one of the most important bulbous flower ranked 2^nd among bulbous flowers in international market. The scope of the study lies in the fact that despite having the congenial climate of Kashmir for bulb production the cultivators are importing the bulbs from outside, so there was need to rationalize the nutrition for optimum plant growth and bulb yield of lilies under Kashmir valley conditions. Consequently an investigation was under taken to evaluate the differential response of lilium varieties with method of application and sources of nitrogen (urea and calcium nitrate) on plant growth, bulb development and yield in Asiatic lilies. Significant differences were observed in growth parameters and behaviour of two cultivars viz., Serreda and Navona. Calcium nitrate significantly improved plant height, leaf area (LA) and LA index (LAI) recorded at 50, 75, 90, and 105 days after planting. Bulb yield parameters (weight of mother bulb, weight of bulblets, no. of bulbs plant^-1, propagation coefficient) varied significantly between two cultivars. Calcium nitrate significantly improved bulb weight, bulb circumference, the number of bulbs plant^”1 and propagation coefficient. However, the effect of three and four split nitrogen application on plant height; LA and LAI was significant at 90-105 day interval. CaNO₃ was more effective in providing the prompt availability of nitrogen to plants as compared to NH₂CONH₂ also it was advantageous for improving the bulb growth as because of presence of critically important micronutrient calcium. Split application of nitrogen was advantageous not only in improving the growth and yield attributes but prevented the significant losses of nitrogen as occurred by various processes like leaching etc

Download Full Article: Click Here