Increasing nutrient levels promote growth and flower quality in lilies grown under soilless culture

Abstract

This research was aimed at assessing the impact of different doses of nutrients on growth and flower quality of the Asiatic hybrid Lilium ((Lilium × elegans Thunb.) cv. ‘Fangio’) under the soilless culture. Five nutrient (fertigation) regimes were applied (T1: daily, T2: twice a week, T3: weekly, T4: twice a month and T5: control). Increasing the nutrient supply increased chlorophyll content index (SPAD, 45–93%), leaf area (30–55%), number of flowers per plant (25–67%) and substrate electrical conductivity (EC: 28–300%) compared to control. Although T3 (weekly nutrient supply) had lower shoot N, P, K⁺ and Ca⁺² concentrations than T1, this regimen increased the number of flower buds by 20% and flower longevity by 56% compared to T1. Overall, weekly nutrient application is effective at maintaining flower quality and yield in the ‘Fangio’ lily, and compares favourably with programs in which fertigation is more frequent and the level of total applied nutrients is higher.