Effect of Growth Media on Morphological Traits of One-year Hyacinth Bulblet (Hyacinthus orientalis L.)

Abstract
The hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis L.) is one of the most popular ornamental bulbus plants in Iran and the world. The effect of different cultural media, including perlite, cocopeat, peat moss, perlite + cocopeat (1:1) and perlite + peat moss (1:1) on the morphological characteristics of hyacinth was investigated. The experimental design was carried out as a completely randomized design including 5 treatments and 3 replications and three bulblets in each replication. the characteristics of bulblet diameter, bulblet height, bulblet fresh weight, leaf height, root number, root length and root fresh weight were measured at the end of the experiment. The results of the present study showed; The culture medium was effective in the growth quality of the hyacinth bulblet, so that the maximum diameter of the hyacinth (1.30 cm) in the perlite + cocopit bed (1:1) and also the highest fresh weight of the bulblet in the cocopit bed (1.56 g) and the perlite + cocopit bed (1.51 g) was obtained. In the characteristics of root number, root length and root fresh weight, peat moss + perlite bed (1:1) was effective.
Introduction
Due to the industrialization of societies and life in an environment that relies more on mechanical systems, flowers and ornamental plants have become important and play an important role in the mental health of people, the health of society, culture and therefore the economy of countries. The floriculture industry is one of the most profitable agricultural industries in the world, and for this reason, in recent years, the production and trade of ornamental plants has been developed globally as well as in Iran. Hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis L.) is one of the most important flowers of bulbous plants and belongs to the Hyacinthaceae family and Hyacinthus genus. The only species of horticultural importance is Hyacinthus orientalis. Propagation is possible by dividing newly formed offsets (bulblets) from the mother bulbs. Various factors are effective in the production of hyacinth bulbs, the most important of which is the culture medium, and the growth of the plant is significantly affected by the physical and chemical characteristics of the culture medium. Therefore, the selection of a suitable cultivation medium, in addition to the optimal physical and biological properties, relatively inexpensive, stable and style enough to work, should be available.
Materials and Methods
Hence, the present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of different growing media on the growth of hyacinth bulblets. The effect of different growing media, including perlite, cocopeat, peat moss, perlite + cocopeat (1:1) and perlite + peat moss (1:1) on the morphological characteristics of hyacinth was investigated. ‘Bluejacket’ hyacinth bulblets (diameter 1-1.5 cm) were used for the present study. The experimental design was carried out as a completely randomized design, including five treatments, three replications, and three bulblets in each replication. Bulblet diameter, bulblet height, bulblet fresh weight, leaf height, root number, root length and root fresh weight were measured.
Results and Discussion
The results of the present study showed; the growing medium was effective in the growth quality of the hyacinth bulblet, so that the maximum bulblet diameter (1.30 cm) was obtained in perlite + cocopeat (1:1), which was not significantly different from peat moss and cocopeat. The maximum height of bulblet was observed in cocopeat (2.32 cm) and perlite + cocopeat (1:1).The maximum weight of bulblet was obtained in cocopeat (1.56 g) and perlite + cocopeat (1:1). Also, the maximum leaf length in cocopeat and perlite + cocopeat (1:1) was obtained as 21.72 and 21.61 cm, respectively. This might be due to the better water retention, air filled porosity, gas diffusion and nutrient availability to the roots in soilless cultivation system. Also, due to the high capillarity of this substrate, it gradually loses its water and does not create a waterlogged state, and for this reason, it causes better growth. The maximum number of roots (4.94 per bulblet) was observed in perlite + peat moss (1:1) and cocopit (4.44 per bulblet), which was not significantly different from perlite + cocopit (1:1). The evaluation of the effect of the growing media on the root length showed that perlite + peat moss (1:1) has the greatest effect in producing longer roots (5.25 cm) and there is no significant difference with peat moss. The maximum amount of root weight in perlite + peat moss (1:1) was obtained.
Conclusion
The presence of peat as an excellent material in the composition of the substrate improves the root growth conditions and the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the plant. Suitable physical and chemical characteristics of the substrate have facilitated the absorption of nutrients and improved the quantity and quality of the plant. Peat is acidic and has a high cation exchange capacity. In substrates containing peat, the capacity to hold moisture and nutrients is higher and provides the conditions for plant growth.