Effect of different levels of compost and vermicompost of Eichhornia crassipes as a growing media for hybrid lily (Oriental × Trumpet) cv. Serano

Eichhornia crassipes is one of the world’s most invasive aquatic weed which in recent years has been considered as a serious threat to most northern Iranian wetlands. The aim of this research was to investigate the effects of compost and vermicompost of this plant as a growing media for lily flower. First, compost and vermicompost were made of water hyacinth. The experiment was a completely randomized design with nine treatments including peat 50% + perlite 50% (control treatment) and 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% compost and vermicompost. Most of cultivars had significant effect on most traits. The highest plant height and number of open buds were produced in peat + perlite. The highest number of bulblet was in 25% compost. The maximum amount of chlorophyll b was in the 25 or 100% compost. The highest air root was found in 100% vermicompost. The concentration of phosphorus in Peat + perlite was maximal. The lowest concentration of potassium was observed in 75% and 100% vermicompost. The highest concentration of calcium was in Peat + perlite, which had no significant difference with 25 and 75% compost. According to the results, Eichhornia crassipes compost and lower vermicompost percentage could be a substitute for peat in lilium plant.