Effect of Planting Distance and Cultivation Depth on Some Quantitative Traits of Narcissus (Narcissus tazetta L.) Cut Flower in Climatic Conditions of Khouzestan (Mollasani)

Narcissus species (Amaryllidaceae) are highly suitable outdoor ornamental plants and also as cut flower. Narcissus is used in folk medicine and is a medicinal plant, because of galanthamine properties. South area of Iran such as Khouzestan province, is one of the most important areas of producing cut flower of narcissus in winter season. In this research, the effects of planting distance (10, 15 and 20 cm) and depth of culture (10 and 15 cm) of narcissus bulbs on some quantitative characteristics of cut flower in climatic conditions of Mollasani (Khouzestan province, southwest of Iran) were studied. Two-factor experiment was conducted in completely randomized design with four replications. Results showed that it was significant difference among the number of cut flower in different planting distance. The most number of cut flower were obtained in planting distance of 15 cm and depth culture of 10 cm, that only it were not significantly differed with number of cut flower which were produced from planting distance of 10 cm and depth culture of 10 cm. The most height of cut flower were obtained in distance of 15 cm and depth culture of 15 cm that only were significan8:38:52 AMly differed with the height of cut flower in distance of 20 cm and depth culture of 10 cm. The most stem diameter in treatment of 15 cm depth culture and 10 cm planting distance were existed which only they were significantly differed with stem diameter in the treatment of 10 cm depth culture and 20 cm planting distance. Only in the treatment of planting distance of 20 cm and depth culture of 10 cm, the diameter of florets were significantly more than the treatment of planting distance of 20 cm and depth culture of 15 cm. The treatments of depth and planting distance were affected on the flowering time. The treatments of depth and planting distance or their interaction did not significantly affect on the number of floret, open floret at the time of harvesting and floret diameter. The results showed that in climatic condition of Mollasani, planting of narcissus bulb in depth of 10 cm and planting distance of 10 cm were optimum.