Changes in growth, flowering and chemical composition as influenced by bulb size, spacing and depth of planting in tuberose ( Polianthestuberose Linn.) cv. Single

Abstract

The objectives of the study were to investigation the effects of varying bulb sizes (bulb diameter of 1 cm and 3 cm), spacing (15 x 15 cm and 30 x 30 cm and depths of planting (3 cm and 7 cm) on the nitrogen and sugar contents of bulbs, bulblets and leaves at flowering stage. By using large sized bulbs the bulb production was more, flower spike emergence was early with higher yield of spikes. Flower quality parameters like length of spike, length of rachis, number of florets per spike and longevity of spike in field improved when large sized bulbs were planted. Wider spacing resulted in earlier emergence, larger yield of flower spikes, besides improvement in length of of rachis, number of florets and vase life of spikes. However, yield of spike and florets per unit area were more with closer spacing. Deeper planting improved the length of spike,, number of florets per spike, length of rachis and longevity of spike in field and number of florets produced per unit area. Use of larger bulbs or narrow spacing resulted in higher total nitrogen in bulblets. Leaf nitrogen content was higher at wider spacing. Reducing and total sugar contents in leaves of plants from large bulbs were higher, whereas at closer spacing, reducing, non-reducing and total sugars of increased appreciably compared to wider spacing.