Effect of Wood Chips Compost and Humic Acid on Growth, Flowering and Vase Life of Lily (Longiflorum × Asiatic) Cv. Nashville

The present study was performed to investigate the effect of growth media and humic acid on growth, flowering and vase life of lilium.

The experiment was conducted as factorial in completely randomized design with four replications.The first factor was wood chip compost (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100%) and the second factor was humic acid at three levels (0, 250, 500 mg L-1). The control treatment consisted of peat moss + perlite (2: 1 V/V).

The results showed that the effect of growing media, humic acid and their interaction on stem height was significant. The highest stem height was observed in control medium at concentrations of 250 and 500 mg L-1 humic acid. The effect of media on the number of buds was significant. The highest number of buds was obtained in 25% and 75% of compost. The highest vase life was obtained in 100% compost and 500 mg L-1 humic acid. The lowest vase life was obtained at control treatment and 0 mg L-1 humic acid concentration. The highest amount of calcium was observed in 75% of compost and 500 mg L-1 humic acid. The highest leaf nitrogen was obtained in 100% compost and 500 mg L-1 humic acid.

According to the results, wood chip compost and humic acid are effective in improving the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of lilium and can be substituted for peat moss.