EFFECT OF BENZYLADENINE ON FLOWER AND LEAF YIELD OF CALLA LILY (ZANTEDESCHIA SPRENG.)

B. Janowska

Abstract: Research was conducted in the years 2008-2010. The cultivars used in the study were as follows: ‘Albomaculata’ derived from Zantedeschia albomaculata /Hook./ Baill., ‘Black Magic’ coming from an inter-species hybrid of Zantedeschia elliottiana /Wats./ Engl. x Z. macrocarpa Engl. and ‘Mango’ derived from Zantedeschia sp. Bulbs 15-18 cm in circumference in the cultivars Black Magic and Mango and 20+ cm in cultivar Albomaculata, with leaf buds 0.5-1.5 cm in length, were planted into 18-cm pots into a medium consisting of peat with a pH of 6.2, enriched with a slow-release fertiliser Osmocote Plus (3-4M) in the amount of 3 g per dm3 and mixed with fresh, shredded pine bark at a rate of 3:1 (v:v). Before planting, the bulbs were soaked for 30 minutes in water solutions of benzyladenine (BA) at concentrations of 0, 100, 350 and 600 mg/dm3. The application of BA at these concentrations resulted in increasing 2-3 times the flower yield, staying neutral towards flower quality. Additionally, the application did not influence the yield of leaves. The leaves, however, showed higher greenness index and protein content.

Keywords: benzyladenine; flowering; index of leaves greenness; ornamental plants; protein

Date published: 2019-04-19