Influence of different light regimes on the vernalization requirement of Asiatic hybrid lily cv. ‘Elite’

Freshly harvested bulbs of Asiatic hybrid lily (Lllium x elegans Thunb.) cv. ‘Elite’ were subjected to different shoot photoperlodic/light regimes for 30 days. Data on various vegetattve and flowering characters were recorded. Leaf number decreased (39.1) over the control when plants were maintained under light regime 5 (8 hrs natural day light: 08am to 04pm + artificial light: 04pm - 02am). Maximum leaf area (6.48 cm2) was observed under light regime 5. Leaf length and width at 10 and 20 cm plant height was greater under natural day lengths as compared to long day lengths. Increased plant height, growth rate and internode length was found under light regime 5. Days to bud formation were 4 weeks earlier under light regime 5 than the light regime 1 (natural day llght only). Earllest flowering was observed in plants grown under light regime 5 and 6 (8 hrs natural day light: 08am to 04pm followed by artificial and/or natural dark period from 04pm to 10pm + artificial light: 10pm - 02am). More number of flowers and longer duration of flowering were observed under natural day lengths than the day length extensions. Over all, light regimes 5 and 6 were able to induce maximum reduction (29.7 to 31.2 days) of growing period over the control. Inflorescence length, inflorescence longevity and individual flower longevity was recorded higher under light regime 5 than the natural day length. Vase life of cut stem in tap water at normal room temperature was observed more under light regime 3(8 hrs natural day light: 08am to 04pm + artificial light: 04pm - 08pm) and 6 than light regime 1.