Effect of Phosphorus and Organic Manure Levels on Quantitative and Qualitative Characteristics of Tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa)

Abstract

To evaluate the effects of phosphorus and organic matter on quantitative and qualitative characteristics of tuberose cv. Double (Polianthes tuberosa L.) an the experiment was conducted at the Agricultural Research Center in Safiabad, in year 2011 and 2012 cropping seasons. It was a factorial laid out in randomized block design with 12 treatment combinations and 3 replications. The first factor was different levels of phosphorus; P1=0, P2=75, P3=150 and P4= 225 in kg P2O5 ha-1 from triple super phosphate and the second factor consisted of different levels of organic manure; OM1=0, OM2=20 and OM3=40 ton ha-1. Results showed that phosphorus fertilizer had significant (at the 5% level) effect on leaf phosphorus content and the best treatment was application of 75 kg P2O5 ha-1 but it had no significant effect on the other parameters. Effect organic manure on stem length was significant at 5% level (the best treatment was application of 20 ton organic manure ha-1) and its effects on leaf phosphorus and bulb weight were significant at 1% level so the best treatments were application of 20 and 40 ton organic manure ha-1, respectively. Interactive effects of phosphorus and organic manure were significant on some parameters. found, P4OM2 treatment (225 kg P2O5 ha-1 and 20 ton organic matter ha-1) was the appropriate treatment for optimal growth of stem length, number of florets, P2OM2 treatment (75 kg P2O5 ha-1 and 20 ton organic matter ha-1) was the appropriate treatment for optimal growth of spike length and stem diameter. P3OM2 treatment (150 kg P2O5 ha-1 and 20 ton organic matter ha-1) was the appropriate treatment for optimal growth of number and weight of bulbs.