EFFECT OF GROWING MEDIA ON THE CORMELIZATION OF FREESIA UNDER THE AGRO-CLIMATIC CONDITIONS OF PESHAWAR

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1 Sarhad J. Agric. Vol.27, No.1, EFFECT OF GROWING MEDIA ON THE CORMELIZATION OF FREESIA UNDER THE AGRO-CLIMATIC CONDITIONS OF PESHAWAR TAHIR ALI*, ABDUL MATEEN KHATTAK** and MUHAMMAD AZIM KHAN*** * Agriculture Research Sub-station, Parachinar Kurram Agency Pakistan. ** Department of Horticulture, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Agricultural University, Peshawar Pakistan. *** Department of Weed Science, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Agricultural University, Peshawar Pakistan. ABSTRACT The experiment Effect of growing media on the cormelization of Freesia under the agro-climatic conditions of Peshawar was conducted at Ornamental Horticulture nursery Farm, Department of Horticulture, Agricultural University Peshawar, Pakistan during Four cultivars of freesia i.e. Valentino, Jessica, Golden Wave and White Wings were planted in four different planting media i.e. control, leaf mold, mushroom compost and poultry manure. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with split plot arrangement. were used as main plots while cultivars as subplots. mostly affected the parameters studied during the experiment. Maximum daughter corm length (3.23 cm), diameter (2.69 cm), volume (8.56 ml), weight (8.74 g), number of cormels per plant (5.59), cormels volume per plant (7.43 ml) and cormels weight (7.89 g) were produced by the cultivars grown in mushroom compost. Whereas, minimum daughter corm length (2.61cm), diameter (2.30cm), volume (6.20ml), weight (6.20gm), number of cormels per plant (2.72), cormels volume per plant (2.71ml) and weight of cormels per plant (2.57gm) were recorded in cultivars grown in poultry manure. Among the cultivars, some parameters showed significant variation. Maximum daughter corm length (3.14cm) was recorded in cv. White Wings, while minimum number of cormels per plant (5.73), maximum cormels volume per plant (7.30ml) and maximum cormels weight per plant (7.29gm) were given by the plants grown in cv. Golden Wave. Maximum daughter corm diameter (2.62cm), maximum daughter corm volume (8.34ml) and maximum daughter corm weight (8.36gm) were recorded for the cv. Jessica. Non significant interaction was observed between the planting media and cultivars. Key Words: Freesia hybrida,, Cormelization, Growing Citation: Ali, T., A.M. Khattak and M.A. Khan Effect of growing media on the cormelization of freesia under the agro-climatic conditions of Pakistan. Sarhad J. Agric. 27(1): INTRODUCTION Freesia (Freesia hybrida) belongs to the family Iridaceae. Freesia is better known as a cut flower than as a garden plant. The flower is available in many colors such as white, yellow, orange, pink, red, and violet etc and is very fragrant. The average plant height is about 30-45cm and the flower size is about 5cm in length. Freesias are best grown in well-drained sandy soil, having a ph of about 6.0 to 7.5, in a sunny or very lightly shaded location. Beside soil, some other media components are required for plant growth, which can store moisture, nutrients and should contain enough pore spaces for gaseous exchange. This experiment has been designed in order to investigate a proper medium for freesia production, various factors involved in the failure of Cormelization of freesia cultivars and to check the performance of different freesia cultivars under the agro-climatic conditions of Peshawar. Khan and Khan (1991) reported that the bulb of Dahlia was best developed in the leaf mold or house waste compost. According to Noland and Williams (1981) rooting of kalanchoe and coleus was greater in leaf mold. Harbaugh et al. (2000) observed good production of caladium tubers planted in organic soil, without the use of phosphorus during their experiment in central Florida. Conover and Poole (1984) reported that an amended medium of peat, shredded bark and solite produced vigorous ornamental plants. Laiche (1991) found good growth and rooting of Azalea cultivars in pine bark and peat moss mixture. Lee et al. (1997) investigated the effect of planting depth (3, 6, 9 and 12 cm) on the growth and flowering of Freesia cv. Corms and cormels production was increased as planting depth decreased. MATERIALS AND METHODS The experiment Effect of Growing on the Cormelization of Freesia, under the Agroclimatic conditions of Peshawar was conducted at Ornamental Horticulture Nursery Farm, Department of

2 Tahir Ali et al. Effect of growing media on the cormelization of Freesia 34 Horticulture, Agricultural University, Peshawar, Pakistan during Before planting the freesia corms, four parallel trenches, each having 4m length, 0.3m width and 0.25m depth were dug out and then filled randomly with the amended media. This represented one replication. Two more replications were prepared in a similar manner. After field preparation, five corms of each freesia cultivar were planted in each row consecutively so that each medium was having all the cultivars in equal proportion. The corm to corm distance was kept as 12.5cm and each corm was planted 5cm deep in the soil. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with Split Plot arrangement. There were two factors i.e. media (main plots) and cultivars (sub plots). The experiment was replicated three times and the number of treatments per replication was 16. Five corms were used per treatment, thus total number of corms used in the experimental trail were 240. Planting : M1 = control {Silt + Garden Soil + FYM (1:1:1)} M2 =Silt + Leaf mold (1:1) M3 =Silt + Mushroom Compost (1:1) M4 =Silt + Poultry Manure (1:1) Freesia used C1 = Valentino (Red flowers) C2 = Jessica (Pink flowers) C3 = Golden wave (Yellow flowers) C4 = White wings (White flowers) Samples were taken from all the growing media before planting the corms and then at an interval of 45 days, these samples were then analyzed in the soil laboratory, Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences, Agricultural University Peshawar for Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium (NPK), Organic Matter content and ph. Table I Chemical analysis of the different growing media used in the experiment ph OM (%) N (ppm) P (ppm) K (ppm) Control Leaf mold Mushroom compost Poultry manure Temperature The temperatures of all the media were recorded daily with the help of soil temperature probe from November 2005 to May Average temperatures for control, leaf mold, mushroom compost and poultry manure were 14.6 C, 14.2 C, 14.9 C and 17.3 C respectively. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Corm Length (cm) The data record revealed that maximum daughter corm length (3.23 cm) was produced by plants grown in mushroom compost, followed by leaf mold with an average of 3.15 cm, while minimum daughter corm length (2.61 cm) was produced by plants in poultry manure. The maximum daughter corm length in mushroom compost might be due to the maximum lamina area of the plants grown in this medium, which synthesized more photosynthates and hence more food was accumulated in the corms. Maximum corm length in mushroom compost may also be attributed to adequate organic matter content which increased its water holding capacity to absorb more nutrients. The optimum nutritional value of this medium helps the plants to prepare more food, which results more length of daughter corms. Among the cultivars, the maximum daughter corm length (3.14 cm) was achieved by cv. White Wings, followed by cv. Jessica with an average of 3.07 cm, while minimum corm length (2.82 cm) was produced by cv. Valentino. This may be attributed to the genetic potential of these cultivars. Non significant interaction shows that the response of cultivars was same in different media, however, maximum corm length (3.40 cm) was achieved by cv. Jessica in mushroom compost, followed by cv. White Wings (3.32 cm) in leaf mold, while minimum corm length (2.35 cm) was achieved by cv. Valentino grown in poultry manure.

3 Sarhad J. Agric. Vol.27, No.1, Daughter Corm Diameter (cm) The data noted for media in Table II revealed that maximum diameter of daughter corm (2.69cm) was there for the plants grown in mushroom compost, the two media i-e control and leaf mold showed non-significant effect on cultivars, producing 2.54cm and 2.53cm daughter corm diameter respectively and minimum diameter of daughter corm (2.30cm) was observed in plants grown in poultry manure. Maximum diameter of daughter corm in mushroom compost may be attributed to maximum lamina area in this medium, which means more photosynthetic area and hence more food for storage in their corms, which resulted in more corm diameter. Table II Daughter corm diameter (cm) of Freesia cultivars as affected by different amended media Valentino Jessica Golden Wave White Wings ab 2.54 ab 2.69 a 2.30 b LSD Value for = All the four cultivars showed similar effect for daughter corm diameter; however maximum daughter corm diameter (2.62cm) was produced by cv. Jessica, while minimum daughter corm diameter (2.37cm) was in cv Golden Wave. Maximum daughter corm diameter in cv. Jessica may be attributed to the genetic potential of this cultivar to utilize the nutrients efficiently, synthesize more food and hence more daughter corm diameter in this cultivar. The non significant interaction for media and cultivars shows that maximum daughter corm diameter (2.84cm) was given by cv. White Wings grown in mushroom compost and minimum daughter corm diameter (2.12cm) was achieved by cv. Golden Wave in poultry manure. Table III Daughter corm length (cm) produced by various Freesia cultivars as affected by different media Manure Compost Valentino Jessica Golden Wave White Wings a 3.15 a 3.23 a 2.61 b LSD Value for = Table IV Daughter corm volume (ml) produced by Freesia cultivars as affected by amended media Valentino Jessica Golden Wave White Wings Daughter Corm Volume (ml) The means recorded for media revealed that cultivars response towards media was non-significant, however, maximum daughter corm volume (8.56 ml) was achieved in mushroom compost, followed by leaf mold with an average of 8.13 ml, while minimum corm volume (6.20 ml) was by plants grown in poultry manure. The maximum corm volume in mushroom compost might be attributed to the maximum corm diameter. This may also be due to the adequate organic matter content and nutritional value. The Non significant means recorded for cultivars shows that maximum (8.34 ml) daughter corm volume was achieved by cv. Jessica, followed by cv. Valentino (8.02 ml) while minimum daughter corm volume (6.93 ml) was produced by cv. White Wings. The more volume of Jessica cultivar may be due to its bigger diameter. The interaction between planting media and cultivars revealed that maximum daughter corm volume (10.88 ml) was produced by cv. Jessica in mushroom compost, followed by cv. Valentino (9.23 ml) in leaf mold,

4 Tahir Ali et al. Effect of growing media on the cormelization of Freesia 36 while minimum (6.54 ml) was produced by cv. Jessica grown in poultry manure. More daughter corm volume of cv. Jessica in mushroom compost and less daughter corm volume of the same cultivar in poultry manure may be due to optimum amount of phosphorous and nitrogen in mushroom compost. Daughter corm weight (gm) The means for media in Table V show that the two media i-e mushroom compost and leaf mold had similar effect on cultivars, producing 8.74gm and 8.25gm daughter corm weight respectively, while minimum daughter corm weight (6.20gm) was produced by the plants grown in poultry manure. Heavier daughter corms produced by different cultivars in mushroom compost and leaf mold can be attributed to maximum daughter corm diameter and daughter corm length in these media. Table V Daughter corm weight (gm) given by Freesia cultivars as affected by amended media Manure Compost Valentino Jessica Golden Wave White Wings ab 8.25 a 8.74 a 6.20 b LSD Value for = Non significant variation in daughter corm weight produced by various freesia cultivars indicate that two cultivars i-e Jessica and Valentino behaved quite similar and the rest of the two cultivars i-e White Wings and Golden Wave behaved alike, however maximum daughter corm weight (8.36gm) was obtained by cv. Jessica and minimum daughter corm weight (7.04gm) was achieved by cv. White Wings. Maximum daughter corm weight in cv. Jessica may also be attributed to maximum daughter corm diameter and more daughter corm length in this cultivar. Non significant interaction between media and cultivars indicates that the cultivars response to different media was similar. Maximum daughter corm weight (10.42gm) was given by cv. Jessica planted in mushroom compost, while less weight of daughter corm (4.35gm) was achieved in cv. Golden Wave grown in poultry manure. Number of Cormels The mean values recorded for media in Table VI revealed that the three media i-e mushroom compost, leaf mold and control had similar effect on cultivars to produce 5.59, 5.15 and 5.09 cormels per plant respectively, in which maximum cormels were given by the plants grown in mushroom compost, while minimum cormels per plant (2.72) were produced by plants grown in poultry manure. It was observed during the experiment that maximum number of leaves were produced in mushroom compost, which produced more photosynthates and thus more cormels per plant were produced. This may also be due to the ph and nutritional value of this medium, which nourished sprouts quickly to synthesize its own food for their younger cormels. Table VI Number of cormels per plant produced by Freesia cultivars as affected by different amended media Manure Compost Valentino c Jessica bc Golden Wave a White Wings ab 5.09 a 5.15 a 5.59 a 2.72 b LSD Value for = LSD Value for = Among cultivars maximum cormels per plant (5.73) were produced by cv. Golden Wave, followed by cv. White Wings (4.94), while minimum cormels per plant (3.58) were given by cv. Valentino. This may be due to the genetic potential of these cultivars to produce more food and hence more cormels. All the cultivars showed similar response to different growing media, however maximum cormels per plant (7.57) were produced by cv. Golden Wave in control and minimum cormels per plant (1.97) were produced by cv. Valentino in poultry manure.

5 Sarhad J. Agric. Vol.27, No.1, Cormels Volume (ml) From the review of means noted for media in Table VII, it is evident that the three media i-e mushroom compost, control and leaf mold had non significant effect on cormels volume producing 7.43ml, 7.02ml and 6.58ml cormels volume respectively and less cormels volume with an average of 2.71ml was achieved by plants in poultry manure, showing significant effect from the rest of three media. As mother corms planted in mushroom compost produced more number of cormels with more diameter of each, hence volume of cormels was also good in mushroom compost. Table VII Cormels volume (ml) per plant as affected by different amended media Valentino b Jessica ab Golden Wave a White Wings b 7.02 a 6.58 a 7.43 a 2.71 b LSD Value for = LSD Value for = Among cultivars the significant means show that maximum cormels volume (7.30ml) was produced by cv. Golden Wave, then by cv. Jessica (5.94ml) and the rest of two cultivars i-e White Wings and Valentino behaved alike giving 5.31ml and 5.20ml respectively. This may be due to the maximum number of cormels produced by Golden Wave and Jessica cultivars. Non significant interaction shows that the response of cultivars was same in different media, however maximum cormels volume (9.86ml) was achieved by cv. Golden Wave grown in control and minimum cormels volume (2.05ml) was achieved by the same cultivar Golden Wave grown in the amended medium of poultry manure. Cormels Weight (gm) The means recorded for media in Table VIII revealed that the three media i-e mushroom compost, control and leaf mold behaved similarly giving 7.89gm, 7.15gm and 6.82gm cormels weight per plant respectively, while minimum cormels weight (2.57gm) was found in the plants grown in poultry manure. Maximum cormels weight given by the plants in mushroom compost may be due to maximum lamina area which synthesized more photosynthates and hence nourished cormels to become heavier in these media. This may also be attributed to the adequate amount of NPK and organic matter content which promoted the growth and development of corms and cormels. Table VIII Cormels weight (gm) per plant as affected by different amended media Valentino b Jessica b Golden Wave a White Wings b 7.15 a 6.82 a 7.89 a 2.57 b LSD Value for = LSD Value for = Non significant variation in cormels weight among various cultivars was found, however maximum cormels weight (7.29gm) was obtained by cv. Golden Wave and the rest of the three cultivars i-e Jessica, Valentino and White Wings behaved alike producing 5.92gm, 5.72gm and 5.51gm cormels weight respectively. This may be attributed to the genetic potential of these cultivars to utilize the nutrients efficiently, synthesized more food and hence more cormels weight in these cultivars was obtained. The non significant interaction shows that maximum cormels weight (9.34gm) was given by cv. Golden Wave in mushroom compost, while minimum cormels weight (2.00gm) was also given by the same cultivar grown in poultry manure. This indicates that proper nutrition and organic matter content might be attributed to more or less growth and development of shoot and cormels.

6 Tahir Ali et al. Effect of growing media on the cormelization of Freesia 38 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS On the basis of the results obtained, it is concluded that both the planting media and the cultivars had significant effects on the cormelization of freesia. In terms of corm and cormel production, cv. Golden Wave gave overall better results. Among the different media, mushroom compost proved to be the best, although leaf mold also gave better results. Therefore, to sum up the conclusion, it is recommended that mushroom compost should be used for maximum corms and cormels production. In case, mushroom compost in not available, leaf mold would be a good alternative. Cultivar Golden Wave is recommended for the best cormelization, however this cultivars produces yellow colour flowers. Selection of flower colour is dependent upon consumer choice. So they may go for other cultivars in case they choose a colour otherwise. For instance, cv. Valentino would be the choice of red flower lovers, cv Jassica for pink and cv. White Wings for white flowers lovers. REFERENCES Conover, C.A. and E.T. Poole Utilization of Melaleuca quinqueneria as potting medium compost for green house produced of foliage plants. Hort. Sci. 18(6): Harbaugh, B.K., D.A. DeVoll and R. Zalewski Phosphorus fertilization for caladium tuber production on organic soil. Hort Technol. 10 (1): Khan, M.A. and A.B. Khan Dahlia. Zarat Nama 29 (6): Laiche, A.J Blends of pine bark with other growth media components for containerized azaleas. Mississippi Agric. & Forestry Experiments Stations. 15(4): 15. Lee, J., J., Jeong, D. Kim, S. Kwon, J. Kim, J.J. Lee, J.S. Jeong, D.K. Kim, S.W. Kwon and J.C. Kim Effect of planting depth on the growth and flowering in summer cultivation of cut freesia. J. Kor. Soc. for Hort. Sci. 38(1): Noland, D.A and D.J. Willams The use of Pumice and pumice: peat mixtures of propagation media. Plant Propagator. 26(4): 6-7.