Effect of nitrogen and potassium on growth, flowering and bulb production in Asiatic hybrid lily cv. Novecento

Field experiments were conducted to study the effect of four levels each of nitrogen (100, 150, 200 and 250 kg/ha) and potassium (120,180,240 and 300 kg/ha) with a fixed level of phosphorus @ 55 0g/ha in Asiatic hybrid lily cv. Novecento, during 2003–2004 and 2004–2005. Among all, the NPK combination treatment of 250+50+300 kg/ha, respectively showed highest length and diameter of flowering shoot, number of leaves per shoot, number of flower buds per shoot, diameter and length of flower bud at colour showing stage. Further, its effect was also good in the remaining parameters such as number and weight of bulbs per plant, diameter of bulb and number and weight of bulblets per plant. Hence, 250+50+300 kg/ha levels may become the optimum doses of NPK requirement in Asiatic hybrid lily cultivation. Treatments of N&K alone also gave better results than the control (N₀ P₀ K₀) under Palampur (Himachal Pradesh) conditions.