RESUMO As espécies de lírio são consideradas uma das flores de corte mais importantes do mundo. Com produção anual de 282 milhões de flores e valor total de US$ 200 milhões, o lírio está entre as cinco principais espécies de flores de corte leiloadas nas bolsas internacionais de flores. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de diferentes profundidades de plantio na morfologia, fisiologia, crescimento radicular e qualidade floral de lírios. Três lírios híbridos foram avaliados [Lilium × elegans; Orienpet (‘Maytime’, branco) e L.A. (‘Fangio’, rosa e ‘Pavia’, amarelo)]. O plantio profundo a 25 cm melhorou significativamente o sistema radicular total e do caule, o diâmetro do caule e a área foliar. Não foram observadas diferenças significativas entre as profundidades de plantio para altura de planta, teor de clorofila e trocas gasosas (fotossíntese, condutância estomática e transpiração). As variáveis de qualidade da flor, especificamente, a vida de vaso do plantio profundo foi maior em 25 cm comparado a 5 e 15. A cultivar ‘Maytime’ apresentou maior área foliar, quantidade de raízes totais e do caule, diâmetro da flor, número de dias para floração e cor mais brilhante (L*) enquanto a ‘Fangio’ apresentou maior número de folhas por planta, raízes basais, número de flores por planta, vida de vaso e coordenada de cor vermelha (a*). No geral, nossos resultados revelaram que os produtores de lírio podem melhorar a qualidade da flor de lírio adotando o plantio profundo a 25 cm.

ABSTRACT Lily species are considered one of the most important cut flowers worldwide. With annual production of 282 million flowers and total value of $200 million, lily is among the top five cut flower species auctioned in the international flower stock markets. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of different planting depths on morphology, physiology, root growth and flower quality of lilies. Three hybrid lilies [Lilium × elegans; Orienpet (‘Maytime’, white) and L.A. (‘Fangio’, pink and ‘Pavia’, yellow)] were used. Deep planting at 25 cm significantly improved total and stem root systems, stem diameter and leaf area. No significant differences were noticed between planting depths for plant height, chlorophyll content, and gas exchange (photosynthesis, stomatal conductance and transpiration). Flower quality variables, specifically, vase life from deep planting were higher in 25-cm compared to 5 and 15. The ‘Maytime’ cultivar had higher leaf area, total and stem roots, flower diameter, number of days to flowering, and brighter color (L*) while the ‘Fangio’ had higher leaf number per plant, more basal roots, flower number per plant, vase life, and red color coordinate (a*). Overall, our results revealed that lily growers can increase their lily flower quality by adopting the deep planting at 25 cm.

Abstract The objective of this study was to assess the influence of different foliar gibberellic acid (GA3) levels (0, 10, 50, and 200 mg L−1) and application timing on the growth, physiology (chlorophyll and gas exchange) and flower quality of gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii cvs. Beaudine and Palm Beach) and Asiatic lily (Lilium × elegans cvs. Fangio and Eldivo). The application of GA3 (50 mg L−1) increased (p<0.05) gerbera shoot height (30%), pedicel length (20%), and vase life (12.5%) and decreased the number of days to flowering (7%) compared to the control. GA3 application at the seedling stage increased pedicel length and flower diameter compared to GA3 treatment at the flower initiation stage. However, the chlorophyll content index, photosynthesis (Pn), stomatal conductance (gs) and transpiration (E) were similar across the study period. For Asiatic lily, 10 and 50 mg L−1 were the best GA3 levels in terms of leaf gs, E and flower diameter. Compared to 0, 10 and 50 mg L−1-GA3, 200 mg L−1-GA3 decreased the number of days to flowering. Overall, the application of 50 mg L−1-GA3 to gerbera and lily cultivars at the seedling stage can potentially improve flower quality and shorten the number of days to flowering.

Resumen El objetivo de este estudio era evaluar la influencia de distintos niveles (0, 10, 50, y 200 mg L−1) de ácido giberélico foliar (GA3) y su fecha de aplicación en el crecimiento, la fisiología (intercambio de clorofila y gas) y la calidad floral de la gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii cvs. Beaudine y Palm Beach) y el lirio asiático (Lilium × elegans cvs. Fangio y Eldivo). La aplicación de GA3 (50 mg L−1) aumentó (p<0.05) la altura del brote de la gerbera (30 %), la longitud de los pedicelos (20 %), la esperanza de vida en jarrón (12,5 %), y disminuyó el número de días hasta la floración (7 %) en contraste con el control. La aplicación de GA3 durante la fase de siembra aumentó la longitud de los pedicelos y el diámetro de las flores en comparación con el tratamiento de GA3 durante la fase de inicio de la floración. Sin embargo, el índice de contenido de clorofila, la fotosíntesis (Pn), la conductancia estomática (gs) y la transpiración (E) fueron similares durante todo el periodo del estudio. En cuanto al lirio asiático, 10 y 50 mg L−1 fueron los mejores niveles de GA3 en términos de crecimiento de hoja, E y diámetro de flor. 200 mg L−1-GA3 disminuyeron el número de días hasta la floración en comparación con 0, 10 y 50 mg L−1-GA3. En general, la aplicación de 50 mg L−1-GA3 a los planteles de gerberas y lirios durante la fase de siembra puede mejorar la calidad de las flores y reducir el número de días hasta la floración.

Abstract: Soil amendment using organic fertilizer has been used widely to dispose animal waste, reduce environmental pollution and improve soil and fruit quality. The objective of this two-year study was to assess the influence of organic and conventional systems on growth, marketable yield, head quality (chlorogenic acid and cynarin concentration) and soil chemical properties of globe artichoke (Cynara cardunculus). Cultivars used were Deserto, Lulu, Romolo, 11-018, 12-179, Green Globe Improved and Imperial Star. Fertilizers were applied to both conventional and organic soil through drip irrigation system. In both years, significant differences were found across cultivars and soil type. Although cultivar response to soil system treatments were inconsistent across the two growing seasons, the cv. Imperial Star had the lowest marketable yield and head quality. Artichoke grown in the conventional field had higher plant height and width, chlorophyll content index (SPAD), leaf area index (LAI), stomatal conductance (gs), photosynthesis (Pn) and marketable yield. Conversely, artichoke head quality from the organic field was higher than conventional. Organic system increased chlorogenic acid by 31% and cynarin by 12% compared to the conventional system. In fact, after two years of soil amendment, organic fertilizer improved soil respiration-CO2 (soil health indicator) by 20-fold compared to chemical fertilizer (conventional field). Overall, based on this two-year study we suggest organic farming as the best system to improve soil and head quality of globe artichoke, but it may not be the best option for farmers when yield is the primary target short-term.