Effects of Different Bulb Cutting Methods on Some Characteristics of Fritillaria persica L.

Abstract

Fritillaria persica L., which is a species produced and exported from Turkey, can be propagated both vegetative and generatively. Using generative production, it needs four to six years to reach for the required bulb size for export. Vegetative production period is shorter than the generative one. This study was carried out in the experimental fields of the University of Ankara, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Field Crops, during 2003-2005. Bulbs of Fritillaria persica L. were used as plant materials in this study. The cutting methods used in this study was as follows: a) bulbs were not cut as control, b) basal cuttage carried out by cutting vertically from the base to center of the bulbs, c) bulbs were cut vertically from the top part to the center d) The basal cuttage was carried out by deep incision around the base, and e) the basal parts of bulbs were carved by knife conically. The experiment was established as a randomized complete block design with three replications. Bulbs were planted with 30 cm row spacing and 30 cm intra-row spacing. Plots were constituted as 3 rows with 7 bulbs each. Plant height (cm), flowering percentage (%), flower cluster length, fruit rate, number of fruits, number of harvested bulbs per planted bulb and bulb yield per decare were determined in this study. Our results suggested that different cutting methods significantly affected numbers of harvested bulbs per plant and bulb yield per decare.