Effect of substrate type on growth and development in lily

This study was conducted to evaluate the growth and development response of different substrate types on the commercial varieties of LA-hybrid lilies viz. Courier and Cilesta. Different substrates types (T₁) sand + soil + FYM (1: 1: 1 v/v), (T₂) sand + soil + FYM (2: 1: 1 v/v), (T₃) cocopeat + FYM (1: 1 v/v), (T₄) cocopeat + soil + FYM (1: 1: 1 v/v), (T₅) (sand + soil + FYM) + cocopeat

(1: 1 v/v), (T₆) (sand + soil + FYM) + vermicompost (2: 1 v/v), (T₇) (sand + soil + FYM) + vermicompost + cocopeat (2: 1: 1 v/v) were used to check the best suitable substrate for lilium cultivation under protected conditions. Plant parameters of growth and development such as spike length, plant height, days to flowering, number of flowers per plant and bud length showed best results with cocopeat + FYM in both the cultivars. Maximum bulb size found in Cilesta than Courier with cocopeat + FYM. Interaction effects between substrate and cultivars resulted significant effect on all the measured bulbous. In conclusion, media amended with cocopeat, could be used successfully in lily forcing with an appropriate fertilization program.