Improving morphological and physiological parameters of liliy (Lilium Longiflorum) by phosphours and mycorrhizal fungi

Iran is one of the important countries of the world for growing flowers and ornamental plants. One of the reasons for such high capability is due to different climates in this area. Lilium from Liliaceae family is one of the most important bulbous cut flowers, which maintaining its postharvest quality has a special importance . Nutrition is one of the factors affecting the preservation of cut flowers quality.

In this study, effects of the ordinary super phosphate (0, 50, 100 and 150 mg l-1) and mycorrhizal fungi in two levels of consumption and non-consumption (0 and 50 mg per 5 kg soil) were investigated according to a factorial experiment, using a completely randomized design with 4 replications to study the morphological and physiological traits of Lilium Longiflorum cultivar ‘Royal Trinity’. Different parameters as; stem height, bud diameter, leaf length (in two areas), bulb weight, postharvest longevity, amount of soluble sugar, Non-soluble sugar, phosphorus and potassium were measured.

Results indicated that applying different levels of phosphate and mycorrhizal fungi significantly increased stem height, bud diameter, leaf length (in two areas), bulb weight, postharvest longevity, amount of soluble sugar, Non-soluble sugar, phosphorus and potassium, in compare with control. Mycorrhizal fungus, due to the extensive networks and increase the area and rate of root absorption, increases the efficiency of plants in absorbing water and nutrients, especially phosphorous elements and finally improve their growth (Vosatka and Albrechtova, 2009). Phosphorus content also affects physiological parameters in plants. One of the parameters is increase in the amount of photosynthesis. It has been shown that phosphorus plays an important role in transfering energy during photosynthesis. Therefore, mycorrhiza fungus is a stimulant to enhance photosynthesis (Demir, 2004).

Mycorrhizal fungi have beneficial effects on plant symbiosis. The beneficial effects of mycorrhizal fungi are on improving the nutritional status of host plants, especially phosphorus.