| Author(s) | A.E. Moftah and A.I. Al-Humaid |
| Affiliation | College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Qassim University, Burydah P.O. Box 1482, Saudi Arabia |
| Title | Response of Vegetative and Reproductive Parameters of |
| Source | Journal of King Saud University. Agricultural Sciences. Volume 18, No 2. (2006/1426) |
| Abstract | Effects of different types of antitranspirants (ATs), Kaolin and Vapor Gard, on vegetative growth, flowering, and chemical composition, of tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa L.) cv. “Double” plants, grown under different irrigation regimes were investigated. Results showed that plant biomass, number of leaves, length and weight of marketable inflorescences and bulb yield were significantly reduced by water deficit, particularly at 60% evapo-transpiration (ET). But, the flowering period was markedly shortened under stress conditions. Under water deficit N, P, K, Ca, total carbohydrates and soluble sugars decreased in treated leaves as compared to the control plants. Both types of ATs effectively enhanced plant performance, flower formation, bulb production, nutrient uptake and carbohydrate synthesis at the 80% ET treatment, relative to the irrigation regime of 80% ET. The performance of Kaolin was more effective than that of Vapor Gard (VG). This might be contributed to its mechanism in reducing leaf temperature, transpiration rate, improvement of plant water status and maintaining biomass production of tuberose plants. Due to the superiority of Kaolin particle film in regulating plant performance and chemistry, it is recommended to be used for reducing water loss by plants in Al-Qassim region, Saudi Arabia. Keywords: Antitranspirants, Flowering, Growth, Polianthes tuberose, Water stress. |
