RESPONSE OF NARCISSUS PLANT (Narcissus poeticus) TO FOLIAR APPLICATIONS OF PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS, SALICYLIC ACID AND KT-30

Abstract

An experiment to study the influence of plant growth regulators (Salicylic acid and a synthetic cytokinin KT-30) on growth, flowering and bulbs characteristics of Narcissus plant (Narcissus poeticus) was conducted. Foliar sprays of four concentrations of both PGR's were applied; SA concentrations were 0, 20, 40, 80 mg/l. While KT–30 levels were 0, 3, 6, 9 mg/l. Narcissus plants were sprayed three times .The first one was applied 60 days after planting, the second spray after 20 days; the last application was carried out after 20 days from the second spray. The results were as follows: A concentration 80 mg/l of SA was superior on increasing plant height 22.74 cm; no. of branches/plant 4.90; leaf area 21.47 cm2; % of chlorophyll 19.88%; fresh weight 25.78 g; no. of flowers/plant 4.96; flower diameter 4.71 cm; vase life 6.04 days; no. of bulbs 2.95; fresh and dry weight of produced bulbs 11.66, 0.99 g respectively. Most of vegetative growth characters were improved when plants were sprayed with KT–30. The concentration 9 mg/l was more effective on plant height 22.66 cm; no. of leaves/plant 4.60; no. of branches/plant 6.60; leaf area 20.35 cm2; date of first flower appearance 104.00 days; no. of flowers/plant 5.13; flower diameter 6.32 cm; flower stem length 7.32 cm; vase life 6.21 days; dry weight of flowers 1.22 g; fresh weight of new bulbs 12.20 g. The interaction between the two studied factors was effective on more characters studied.