Abstract:
The growth and quality production of plants are negatively affected by several biotic and abiotic stresses including high pH. Plants biostimulants are environmental and eco-friendly which may involve in promoting of sustainable production. Willow is not only source of salicylic acid (SA) but also known as natural and local source of bioactive, inexpensive and self-achieved plant biostimulants. An experiment on “Effect of weeping willow bark extracts and their time of application on the growth and flower production of tuberose was carried out at the Ornamental Horticulture Nursery, Department of Horticulture, The University of Agriculture Peshawar, in 2022. Soil texture of the experimental site was silt loam with high pH (8.1). The experimental design was Complete Block Design, arranged in split plot. Treatments were replicated three (03) times. There were two factors: Factor A (main-plot), included the application time i.e. 20, 30, 40 days after plant emergence and Factor B (sub-plot) had various concentrations of willow bark extracts (WBE) i.e. 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8%. The experimental findings revealed that WBE and their application time significantly improved all the studied parameters in tuberose. Interaction between WBE and time of application was found significant for three parameters i.e. leaf area, floret fresh weight and floret dry weight. The results of WBE concentrations revealed that maximum number of leaves plant-1 (22.14), least days to spike emergence (48.80), maximum days to last floret opening (85.44), plant height (103.70 cm), chlorophyll content (71.74 SPAD), florets spike-1 (37.07) and vase life (10.66) were observed in plants sprayed with 8% of WB which was not statistically different from the findings of WBE application at 6 and 4%. In case of foliar application times, the maximum leaves plant-1 (21.35), earliest spike emergence (50.70 days), maximum chlorophyll content (70.82 SPAD) and extended vase life (11.20 days) were noticed in plants sprayed 40 days after emergence. The least days to first floret opening (69.21), maximum days to last floret opening (85.26), tallest plants (100.46 cm), maximum florets spike-1 (34.08) were recorded in plants of tuberose treated 40 days after plants emergence that were statistically similar to the findings observed when plants were sprayed 30 days after emergence. It is concluded that foliar application of WB at 4% proved best and economical for better growth and flower production with superior quality in tuberose. While, application of WBE, 40 days after plant emergence was found most effective for most of the studied attributes in Tuberose.
Page(s):
62-62
DOI:
DOI not available
Published:
Journal: Abstract Book on International Conference on Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security, August 27-31, 2023 , Volume: 0, Issue: 0, Year: 2023
Keywords:
Tuberose
,
willow Bark extract
,
Plant biostimulant
,
Sustainable crop production