Articles
EFFECTS OF SOME AGRICULTURAL BIO-STIMULANTS ON THE GROWTH AND ROOT QUALITY IN LILIUM ‘BRINDISI’: FIRST RESULTS
Article number
900_11
Pages
105 – 112
Language
English
Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different agricultural bio-stimulants on growth and root system development in Lilium. The experiment was carried out during the winter period (November 2009 – March 2010) in soilless cultivation.
Bulbs of Lilium longiflorum × L. elegans Brindisi, a cultivar commonly used in Southern Italy (18-20 cm in circumference), were planted in brown PVC containers (21 cm in diameter) filled with perlite, grown in a PE tunnel and fertirrigated by a micro-irrigation system with a modified Hoaglands solution.
Three agricultural bio-stimulants, based on hydrolyzed protein coming from algae (B1), animals (B2), and vegetables (B3), were compared to a control treatment (distilled water, B0). The bio-stimulants were applied seven times both at leaf and root level, as 0.15% solution with distilled water, as suggested by the company providing the commercial products.
The stem and root system growth analysis was performed using bio-morphometric measurements, fresh weight and visual quality score.
The first results showed that the bio-stimulant use affected unitary leaf area and fresh weight, flower bud diameter and root fresh weight.
Foliar application affected root fresh weight and plant total fresh weight ratio compared to radical application.
The animal hydrolyzed protein-based bio-stimulant was the most effective in increasing root fresh weight and stem quality.
The visual assessment also proved a general production of longer and thinner roots in the treated plants than in the control.
Bulbs of Lilium longiflorum × L. elegans Brindisi, a cultivar commonly used in Southern Italy (18-20 cm in circumference), were planted in brown PVC containers (21 cm in diameter) filled with perlite, grown in a PE tunnel and fertirrigated by a micro-irrigation system with a modified Hoaglands solution.
Three agricultural bio-stimulants, based on hydrolyzed protein coming from algae (B1), animals (B2), and vegetables (B3), were compared to a control treatment (distilled water, B0). The bio-stimulants were applied seven times both at leaf and root level, as 0.15% solution with distilled water, as suggested by the company providing the commercial products.
The stem and root system growth analysis was performed using bio-morphometric measurements, fresh weight and visual quality score.
The first results showed that the bio-stimulant use affected unitary leaf area and fresh weight, flower bud diameter and root fresh weight.
Foliar application affected root fresh weight and plant total fresh weight ratio compared to radical application.
The animal hydrolyzed protein-based bio-stimulant was the most effective in increasing root fresh weight and stem quality.
The visual assessment also proved a general production of longer and thinner roots in the treated plants than in the control.
Publication
Authors
L. Vecchietti, G. Canzio, B. De Lucia
Keywords
soilless cultivation, root system, perlite, visual score, fresh weight
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