Integrated Fertilizer Management Correctly Mirrors the Prospective Flower Quality, Bulb Yield and Beauty Features of Amaryllis (Hippeastrum Vittatum Herb)

Badawi H. Mona; ShananT. Nermeen; El-AttarB. Asmaa

Integrated Fertilizer Management Correctly Mirrors the Prospective Flower Quality, Bulb Yield and Beauty Features of Amaryllis (Hippeastrum Vittatum Herb)

( Vol-3,Issue-10,October 2016 ) OPEN ACCESS

Author(s):

Badawi H. Mona,ShananT. Nermeen, El-AttarB. Asmaa

Keywords:

Amaryllis- Biofertile- N fertilizer- IFM- Flower quality- Bulb yield- Beauty features- N gain.

Abstract:

An innovative bioformulation labeled “Biofertile” of six endophytic diazotrophs was evaluated for improving flower quality, bulb yield and beauty features of amaryllis (Hippeastrum vittatum Herb). Along the winter growing seasons 2014-2015 and 2015-2016, leaf characteristics (numbers per plant, length, surface area, fresh and dry weights) significantly stimulated due to Biofertile treatment. Incorporation into soil of a rational N level with plant hormones did magnify the beneficial impact of the diazotroph formulation. Simultaneous bio-product inoculation and N fertilization resulted in earlier flower opening and budding, up to 18 days were resulted. The highest seasonal average bulb fresh weight of 76.9 g plant-1 was scored for plants inoculated with the diazotroph biopreparate together with 50 % N dose in presence of gibberellin and benzyl adenine. Addition of full N regime increased chlorophyll and carbohydrate contents of leaves by 26.8 and 16.7 % respectively over untreated amaryllis, Relatively low amounts of indole (0.56 mg/ 100 g fresh weight) and phenol (1.41 mg/ 100 g fresh weight) were estimated for untreated plants, higher quantities of 1.31 and 336 mg/ 100 g fresh weight were recorded for Biofertile-inoculated plants. Being among the beauty features of amaryllis, leaves area and fresh weight as well as bulb diameter and fresh weights conspicuously improved as the N content of the plant organs increased. Net N gains of 18.7 - 22.2 kg acre-1 were introduced into the ornamental plant growth media via inoculation with Biofertile either with or without the other additives. Results of this study open a new window on the successful role of the Integrated Fertilizer Management (IFM) concept for improving flower and bulb yields and characteristics with a unique contribution in the beauty features of amaryllis.