Ali Atharjo; Abdolrahman Rahimian Boogar; Mehdi Aran; Nasim Forghani
Abstract
Introduction Lilies are fragrant ornamental bulbous plants known for their stunning cut flowers and valuable potted plants. They beautifully enhance parks, gardens, and landscapes, ...
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Introduction Lilies are fragrant ornamental bulbous plants known for their stunning cut flowers and valuable potted plants. They beautifully enhance parks, gardens, and landscapes, making them a great choice for enhancing bouquets and perfuming the outdoor or indoor spaces. Substrates play vital roles in providing access to water, nutrients, and improving drainage, which are essential for plant stability and growth in soilless cultivation. In recent decades, the growth of hydroponic culture has significantly increased the demand for substrate materials. This rising interest underscores the urgent need for comprehensive research to identify the optimal substrates that align with specific plant characteristics, ultimately enhancing production and sustainability in hydroponics. The aim of current study was to detect the role of inorganic and organic substrates blend on the growth and quality of lily cut flowers.
Materials and Methods The experiment was conducted using a completely randomized design with three replications in the research greenhouse at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zabol, in 2022. The hydroponic substrate treatments included the following: perlite (control), perlite combined with cocopeat (1:1), perlite combined with peat moss (1:1), perlite combined with zeolite (1:1), a mixture of perlite, cocopeat, and peat moss (1:1:1), a mixture of perlite, cocopeat, and zeolite (1:1:1), and a combination of perlite, cocopeat, peat moss, and zeolite (1:1:1:1).
Results and Discussion The results indicated a significant difference in the effects of the substrate mixtures on the evaluated characteristics of lily cut flowers. The highest fresh and dry weight of the flowering stem and flower diameter were observed in the mixture of perlite, cocopeat, and peat moss. The highest root volume, bulb diameter, and both fresh and dry weights of the root were achieved in a perlite and cocopit mixture, while the highest number of bulbs was obtained in a mixture of perlite, cocopit, and zeolite. The combination of perlite, cocopeat, and zeolite resulted in increased leaf area, petal weight, number of bulbs per plant, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, carotenoids, anthocyanins, and flavonoids. The highest percentage and yield of essential oil were obtained using a perlite and peat moss mixture. Overall, it can be concluded that different substrate mixtures can vary based on production purposes. The combination of zeolite with perlite and cocopeat (coconut fiber) improved the formation, color, and size of lily flowers. In contrast, using peat moss along with perlite and cocopeat resulted in larger stems.
Conclusion To achieve the best growth of lily flowers, it’s crucial to combine both mineral and organic substrates effectively. Utilizing perlite and zeolite for their excellent physical properties, alongside cocopeat and peat moss for superior water, can make a significant difference in growth. For cut lily producers aiming for exceptional quality, incorporating a mix of perlite and zeolite with organic substrates of peat moss or cocopeat is an essential strategy. To ensure optimal vegetative characteristics, it's crucial to limit zeolite to no more than one-third of the total volume of the culture medium. Exceeding this proportion can lead to negative effects, primarily due to increased salinity from the element release in the medium.
