The experimental trial was consummated during two successive seasons (2011/ 2012 and 2012/ 2013) at the nursery of Hort. Res. Inst., Giza, Egypt. It was intended to find out the solve of one of the most important problems faced the production of Gladiolus in Egypt, i.e. the deterioration of corms production year after year. So, the independent as well as the combined effects of different growing media (sand, sand/compost 1:1 v/v and sand/sewage sludge 3:1 v/v), fertilization treatments (NPK at 1:2:1, kristalon and EM 5%) and their interaction were investigated on the production of Gladiolus corms from cormlets locally. The results indicated that growing cormlets in sand/compost (1:1 v/v) medium proved its mastery in raising corms yield, corm fresh and dry weights, corm circumference and root length of corm as well as cormlets yield and quality in both seasons. Meanwhile, using sand medium in plantation achieved the second rank in improving the same parameters in the same seasons. Results indicated also the prevalence of all corms and cormlets parameters due to applying the mixture of N, P and K, whereas kristalon and EM 5% showed less effect in this regard. Chemical constituents of the new formed corms were also affected by the previous treatments, where growing cormlets in sand/compost medium showed its superiority in raising N, P and K as well as total carbohydrates content in the new corms. Also, NPK fertilization revealed an increment on the same parameters in the same organ. From the aforementioned results and interactions, it could be recommended to grow Gladiolus (cv. Novalux) cormlets in sand/compost medium along with treating the plants with NPK mixture at a ratio of 1: 2: 1 at the rate of 2 g/pot, 8 times at 15 day intervals to obtain high yield and quality of the new formed corms.
The aim was to quantify the water requirements of Hymenocallis speciosa Salisb. plants grown in different growing media, i.e. clay, sand/clay, sand/compost (2:1, v/v) and sand/sewage sludge (4:1, v/v) with supplying the plants with different irrigation levels (low, moderate and high) according to field capacity of each growing medium used in every irrigation to asses the most suitable irrigation level for producing the best vigorous plant growth as well as for reducing the amount of water used in agricultural production and determine the best growing media used for producing plants with high yield and quality. Accordingly, bulbs of an average weight of 46 g and 10 cm diameter were selected and planted on March 12 th in plastic pots of 30 cm diameter under open field conditions in both seasons. The results emphasized that sand/compost (2:1, v/v) was the best medium used for improving vegetative growth and root parameters as well as most flower traits, bulbs productivity and chemical constituents of plant leaves and bulbs. Besides, it proved its mastery in shortening the time required from planting to flowering. Meanwhile, sand/clay (2:1, v/v) and sand/sewage sludge (4:1, v/v) were less efficient in improving plant traits and occupied the second and third ranks, respectively. In contrast, clay medium gave the least efficiency in this concern comparing with the other media used in the two seasons. Also, great influence was noticed on the above mentioned traits due to supplying plants either moderate or high level in every irrigation. Meanwhile, the lowest irrigation regime gave an intermediate effects on the same traits. Therefore, and from the interaction it could be recommended to use sand/compost (2:1, v/v) medium in plantation with supplying plants the moderate irrigation level in every irrigation for achieving high plant quality of Hymenocallis speciosa Salisb. plant, besides save a good deal of water for other purposes.
An experimental trial was consummated throughout two successive seasons (2006/07 and 2007/08) at the nursery of Ornamental Horticulture Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University. It was intended to find out how far Ceiba pentandra L. plant can withstand various salinity levels (1500, 3000, 4500 and 6000 ppm) of irrigation, to assess the possibility of planting such plant in new areas such as coastal lands. Accordingly, the previous salinity levels were tested for their effects on growth, development and chemical constituents. The results revealed that using the lowest salinity levels (1500 and 3000 ppm) had a beneficial effect on some plant traits, as they increased plant height, number of leaves/plant, fresh and dry weights of compound leaves, root length and fresh and dry weights of roots as well as stem diameter with only 3000 ppm of saline water. The contrary action was detected due to increasing salinity levels to 4500 and 6000 ppm in few cases as they decreased leaflet and compound leaf areas.Chemical constituents of the different plant parts were also affected by the different salinity levels. All of them revealed a beneficial effect on total carbohydrates content in leaves, especially with the lowest levels (1500 and 3000 ppm), whereas in stem, the best result was gained as a result of salinity treatments at 1500, 3000 and 4500 ppm. The low levels (1500 and 3000 ppm) also caused an increment in indole content in leaves, whereas the highest one (6000 ppm) caused a decrement. Phenols as well as phenols/indoles ratio in the leaves increased progressively by increasing salinity level. Meanwhile, pigment content showed a decrement in plants receiving the different salinity levels, especially the highest one (6000 ppm).Thus, it could be concluded that Ceiba pentandra L. withstands salinity level up to 6000 ppm, with beneficial effects in some instances.
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