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377499

Stimulatory effects of an exogenously applied seaweed extract on the morphological and physiological growth and yield in juvenile Amaryllis belladonna L. Bulbs

Article

Last updated: 01 Jan 2025

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Tags

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Abstract

Amaryllis belladonna L. is a hysteranthous bulbous species indigenous to the Cape Floristic Region of South Africa. The species' attractiveness, adaptability, and low-maintenance needs have drawn international interest to its desirable uses in ornamental and landscape applications constrained by the observably slow rate of natural multiplication to reach flowering. A 24-week study was performed to determine the stimulatory effects of a seaweed extract, Kelpak®, on the morphological and physiological responses of A. belladonna bulbs cultivated under greenhouse conditions. Juvenile bulbs from five successive age groups were used to evaluate the consistency of observed responses. Treatments consisted of a 0% untreated control and three Kelpak® concentration dilutions at 0.2%, 0.4%, and 1% (v/v) administered to five age groups of A. belladonna bulbs as a monthly soil drench. The results showed that even at low concentrations, Kelpak® treatments improved the phyto-stimulatory responses of both the bulb aerial and, more substantially, the below-ground storage organs in a concentration-dependent manner. While treatments enhanced the morpho-physiological responses, the consistency of bulb age differed. Higher morphological yields were associated with older bulbs; however, bulbs of A. belladonna in years 1 and 2 were deemed the most receptive in circumference, weight coefficients, and chlorophyll content. However, to maximize the efficacy and proliferation rate of the species in a reduced timeframe, a 1% Kelpak® dilution applied at an early developmental stage within the first two years is most beneficial and a priority to elicit rapid, uniform, and healthy bulb growth and development.

DOI

10.21608/ejbo.2024.220974.2395

Keywords

Amaryllidaceae, Cultivation, juvenile bulb, Naked Lady, Phytohormones, seaweed biostimulant

Authors

First Name

Carolyn

Last Name

Wilmot

MiddleName

Margaret

Affiliation

Department of Horticultural Sciences, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, PO Box 1906, Bellville, 7535, South Africa

Email

wilmotc@cput.ac.za

City

Cape Town

Orcid

-

First Name

Muhali

Last Name

Jimoh

MiddleName

-

Affiliation

Department of Horticultural Sciences, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Bellville Campus, South Africa

Email

jimohm@cput.ac.za

City

Bellville

Orcid

0000-0002-1183-5711

First Name

Charles

Last Name

Laubscher

MiddleName

-

Affiliation

Department of Horticultural Sciences, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, PO Box 1906, Bellville, 7535, South Africa

Email

laubscherc@cput.ac.za

City

Cape Town

Orcid

-

Volume

64

Article Issue

3

Related Issue

48675

Issue Date

2024-09-01

Receive Date

2023-05-04

Publish Date

2024-09-01

Page Start

52

Page End

68

Print ISSN

0375-9237

Online ISSN

2357-0350

Link

https://ejbo.journals.ekb.eg/article_377499.html

Detail API

https://ejbo.journals.ekb.eg/service?article_code=377499

Order

5

Type

Regular issue (Original Article)

Type Code

111

Publication Type

Journal

Publication Title

Egyptian Journal of Botany

Publication Link

https://ejbo.journals.ekb.eg/

MainTitle

Stimulatory effects of an exogenously applied seaweed extract on the morphological and physiological growth and yield in juvenile Amaryllis belladonna L. Bulbs

Details

Type

Article

Created At

30 Dec 2024