The Influence of Silicon and Multinutrient Fertilizer On the Quality and Chemical Composition of Gazania Rigens ‘Kiss Yellow’, Salvia Farinacea ‘Fairy Queen’ and Verbena ‘Obsession Lilac’ Plants

Abstract

Silicon supplementation may lead to positive changes in plant quality, including their appearance. The two-factorial experiment with three ornamental plant taxa Gazania rigens 'Kiss Yellow', Salvia farinacea 'Fairy Queen' and Verbena 'Obsession Lilac' was conducted in the years 2012-2013. The first factor was foliar application of Si in form of ortho-silicic acid stabilized with choline (YaraVita Actisil) at the concentrations of 60, 120 and 180 mg·dm -3 , while the second was soil application of multinutrient fertilizer (Insol U) at the concentrations of 0.25% and 0.50%. Biometric measurements of plants were carried out at the beginning of flowering. The laboratory analyses included the determination of the content of P, K, Ca, Mg and Si as well as chlorophyll content in the leaves. Silicon had a beneficial influence on a majority of the analysed morphological features. Plants reacted best to high silicon doses (120 and 180 mg·dm -3 ). Particularly beneficial effects were noted with respect to improved flowering of all analysed plant taxa and to the vegetative development of Salvia and Gazania. Insol U supplementation noticeably improved the flowering of Verbena.

Heteromorphic, physiological and molecular characteristics of Gazania spp grow in North Coast of Egypt

“…Improved floral anatomy and morphology, new floral color, induced early flowering, enhanced fragrance or longevity, stress tolerance or disease resistance have all been used to introduce original traits of high commercial interest for producers and/or consumers through genetic modification of ornamental plants (Azadi et al, 2016;Darqui et al, 2017;Kishi-Kaboshi et al, 2018;Scaramuzzino, 2019;Boutigny et al, 2020). Ornamental plants affect impact on human life through their variety of shape, color, leaves, flowers, and scent fragrance (Abdulrazzaq, 2017;Dębicz et al, 2017).…”