Effects of Organic Bulb Priming and Natural Lemon Juice on Growth and Post-Harvest Quality of Asiatic Lily cv. Indian Summerset

Abstract

Sustainable alternatives to chemical inputs are increasingly important in ornamental floriculture, yet studies on organic bulb priming and natural post-harvest treatments in Asiatic Lily cv. Indian Summerset remain limited. This study evaluated bulb priming treatments—T₁: 1% Beejamrit (BJ), T₂: 3% BJ, T₃: 5% BJ, T₄: 1% BJ + 1% Jeevamrit (JM), T₅: 3% BJ + 3% JM, T₆: 5% BJ + 5% JM, T₇: 1% JM, T₈: 3% JM, T₉: 5% JM, and T₁₀: Control (distilled water)—for growth and morphological traits. Post-harvest lemon juice treatments—T₁: 20 mL L⁻¹, T₂: 40 mL L⁻¹, T₃: 60 mL L⁻¹, T₄: 80 mL L⁻¹, T₅: 100 mL L⁻¹, and T₆: Control (distilled water)—were assessed for vase life and water absorption. Among bulb priming treatments, T₆ (5% BJ + 5% JM) maximized vegetative growth and morphology, while T₃ (60 mL L⁻¹ lemon juice) most effectively enhanced water absorption and extended vase life. These findings demonstrate that combined organic priming and lemon juice application provide an eco-friendly strategy to improve growth and post-harvest quality of lily.