THE ENLARGEMENT OF MADONNA LILY BULBLET IN DIFFERENT SUCROSE CONCENTRATIONS

Abstract

Lilium candidum L. (Madonna lily) is a rare bulbous plant species. It has more than 15 fragrant, bright, white flowers in the racemous form at the end of the long vertical stem. It is widely propagated by scaling method. It is very important commercially to enlarge the bulblet size in a short time. This study was performed to determine the effects of the different sucrose concentrations on the formation and development of the bulblet propagated by the scaling method. After Lilium candidum L. bulbs with a circumference of 22-24 cm were cleaned, they were separated into scales and 15 scales were placed in black polyethylene bags with a volume of 5 L. Later, 0, 1, and 2% sucrose solution were given to the bags. The scales were incubated in the storeroom with 18-20 °C temperature for 14 weeks to form bulblets. The highest bulblet number was found in 0% sucrose (control) treatment (2.39 piece/scale). The highest bulblet diameter and bulblet height were determined at 1% and 2% sucrose concentrations.