Impact of soilless media and nutrient spray frequency on growth and flowering of grape hyacinth (Muscari armeniaca L.) under open conditions

Introduction

Grape Hyacinth (Muscari armeniaca L.) also called as "Touch of Snow" or "viper onion" is a species of flowering plant in the subfamily Scilloideae of the family Asparagaceae (formerly Hyacinthaceae). The genus Muscari originated in the Old World, including the Mediterranean basin, central and Southern Europe, northern Africa, western, central and south-western Asia (Hanson, 2002) [6] . The tiny, bell-shaped, cobalt-blue flower clusters resemble upside-down grape bunches, hence the popular name. The genus Muscari is named after the Greek word for musk, which refers to the aroma generated by the blooms of many species in the group. Grape hyacinth (Muscari armeniacum) is a perennial bulb that blooms in the middle of spring and is native to Southeast Europe. Long, linear, floppy green leaves sprout from the ground in early spring, followed by flowers. The foliage falls back after the blooms in the early summer, but unlike many other spring-blooming bulbs, it resumes vigorous growth in mid-fall and lasts through moderate winters. Each bulb generates one to three 4-8 inch tall flower stalks with 20-40 closely packed blooms per stalk. A narrow white band around the rim of each bell-shaped floret. As the top blooms open, the lower ones wither and the flowers open in a sequential manner from the bottom of the inflorescence upward. Seed pods that are in three halves follow pollinated flowers. The seeds are round, black, smooth, and net-wrinkled, and they are viable for about one year. The chromosome number is 2n=18; chromosome numbers are often 2n=18 or 36. Soilless media is a cultivation method that doesn't use traditional soil. Instead, it utilizes a mixture of materials like perlite, cocopeat, vermiculite, or other inert substances to provide support and nutrients for plant growth. This allows for more precise control over growing conditions in various agricultural settings. NPK (20:20:20) is a highly concentrated, balanced plant fertiliser. It contains equal parts nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. It is ideal for growing plants in poor quality soils as it provides a high amount of each of the three essential plant macronutrients. The balanced ratio of NPK (20:20:20) ensures that plants receive an equal proportion of all three essential nutrients. This balanced formulation provides comprehensive support for various growth stages, from seedling establishment to flowering and fruiting. This balanced formulation also ensures uniform and healthy plant growth, leading to better crop yields and improved quality. Open growth conditions refer to environmental settings where plants are allowed to grow without strict controls or enclosures, simulating natural or field like circumstances. These conditions typically include natural light, ambient temperature and humidity, open air, soil and nutrients and unrestricted space. Since no work has been done in the institute, on Grape hyacinth (Muscari armeniaca L.) with regard to the impact of soilless media and nutrient spray on growth and flowering under open conditions. Therefore, the present study aimed to examine the impact of soilless media and nutrient spray on growth and flowering of Grape hyacinth (Muscari armeniaca L.) under open conditions.

Materials and Methodology

The experiment was conducted in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 16 treatments of 3 replications. Bulbs were planted in the pots under open conditions at floriculture experimental farm of Division of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, SKUAST-K during 2022-2023.Total number of treatment combinations were 16 with four soilless media i.e Vermicompost, Cocopeat, Vermiculite, Perlite and Garden soil as control and four nutrient spray frequencies at 3, 7,10 and 15 days interval. The treatment combinations were T 1 (M 0 F 1 ) Garden soil: NPK 3 g/L at 3 days interval, T 2 (M 0 F 2 ) Garden soil: NPK 3 g/L at 7 days interval, T 3 (M 0 F 3 ) Garden soil: NPK 3 g/L at 10 days interval, T 4 (M 0 F 4 ) Garden soil: NPK 3 g/L at 15 days interval, T 5 (M 1 F 1 ) Vermicompost + Cocopeat + Perlite: NPK 3 g/L at 3 days interval, T 6 (M 1 F 2 ) Vermicompost + Cocopeat + Perlite: NPK 3 g/L at 7 days interval, T 7 (M 1 F 3 ) Vermicompost + Cocopeat + Perlite: NPK 3 g/L at 10 days interval, T 8 (M 1 F 4 ) Vermicompost + Cocopeat + Perlite: NPK 3 g/L at 15 days interval, T 9 (M 2 F 1 ) Vermicompost + Cocopeat + Vermiculite: NPK 3 g/L at 3 days interval, T 10 (M 2 F 2 ) Vermicompost + Cocopeat + Vermiculite: NPK 3 g/L at 7 days interval, T 11 (M 2 F 3 ) Vermicompost + Cocopeat + Vermiculite: NPK 3 g/L at 10 days interval, T 12 (M 2 F 4 ) Vermicompost + Cocopeat + Vermiculite: NPK 3 g/L at 15 days interval, T 13 (M 3 F 1 ) Vermicompost + Perlite + Vermiculite: NPK 3 g/L at 3 days interval, T 14 (M 3 F 2 ) Vermicompost + Perlite + Vermiculite: NPK 3 g/L at 7 days interval, T 15 (M 3 F 3 ) Vermicompost + Perlite + Vermiculite: NPK 3 g/L at 10 days interval, T 16 (M 3 F 4 ) Vermicompost + Perlite + Vermiculite: NPK 3 g/L at 15 days interval.

Results and Discussion

Soilless media and nutrient spray frequency

The soilless media and nutrient spray frequency of NPK 20:20:20 had significant effect on the vegetative, floral and bulb parameters. The results among the soilless media M 3 (Vermicompost + Perlite + Vermiculite [1:1:1 v/v] and nutrient spray frequency F 1 NPK (20:20:20)@3 g/L at 3 days interval were found to be best for enhancing the vegetative, floral and bulb parameters of Grape Hyacinth (Muscari armeniaca L.). Application of soilless media M 3 (Vermicompost + Perlite + Vermiculite [1:1:1 v/v] and nutrient spray frequency F 1 NPK (20:20:20)@3 g/L at 3 days interval recorded highest values for parameters like number of leaves plant -1 (7.33), plant spread (58.16 cm), days taken to flowering (102), number of spikes plant -1 (4.00), spike length (22.50 cm), diameter of spike (2.31 mm), number of bulbs plant -1 (3.33), diameter of main bulb (3.60 cm), number of bulblets plant -1 (16.33), weight of main bulb (37.33 g). The increase in vegetative parameters might be due to the physiological attributes of soilless media Nikrazm et al. (2011) [8] and due to the availability of essential nutrients NPK at the most critical stages of growth Sumathi et al. (2018) [14] (Table 1). Similar results were given by Chauhan et al. (2014) [3] in gerbera cv. Alchochete, Singh et al. (2009) [12] in Wax begonia and Riaz et al. (2008) [10] in Zinnia elegans cv. Blue point. The improvement noticed in floral parameters might be contributed to the physiological characteristics of soilless media (Rajan, 2020) [9] and due to the availability of balanced amount of essential nutrients NPK at crucial stages of bulb development (Singh, 2018) [13] (Table 1). These findings were in conformity with findings of Dabral et al. (2019) [4] in calla lily and (Fatmi, 2023) [5] in carnation cv. Master. Significant improvement in bulb parameters can be attributed to the effect of soilless media Bhandari et al. (2016) [1] and nutrient spray frequencies at critical stages of bulb development Sharma et al. (2008) [11] (Table 2). Identical results were obtained by Chaudhary et al. (2018) [2] in the LA hybrid (Red Alert) and Oriental (Avocado) groups of lilium, Khan et al. (2006) [7] in tulip.

Conclusion

The media application of Vermicompost + Perlite + Vermiculite and NPK (20:20:20) @ 3 g/L at 3 days interval was found superior in terms of significantly improving vegetative parameters (number of leaves plant -1 , plant spread), floral parameters (days taken to flowering, number of spikes plant -1 , spike length, diameter of spike) and bulb parameters (number of bulbs plant -1 , diameter of the main bulb, number of bulblets plant -1 , weight of the main bulb) whereas the Garden soil and NPK (20:20:20) @ 3 g/L at 15 days interval was far behind in vegetative parameters (number of leaves plant -1 , plant spread), floral parameters (days taken to flowering, number of spikes plant -1 , spike length) and bulb parameters (number of bulbs plant -1 , diameter of the main bulb, number of bulblets plant -1 , weight of the main bulb) under open conditions. Combined application of macronutrient (NPK: 20-20-20@ 3 g/L) in general improved all vegetative, floral and bulb parameters under open conditions.

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