Journal of Soil and Plant Interactions

Lily (Lilium longiflorum L.) is one of the most important potted flowers, which is used largely as cut flower. An experiment, arranged as a factorial besed on completely randomized dasign with three replications, was carried out to evaluate the effects of pre-harvest foliar application of humic acid, salicylic acid and calcium chloride on quality and longevity of lilium cut flowers. Treatments  included humic acid as factor a (0, 100, 500 and 1000 mg/L) and three salicylic acid concentrations (0, 150 and 200 mg/L) and two calcium chloride concentrations (300 and 600 mg/L) as factor b, which were sprayed at two stages before harvesting the flowers. Results showed that treating the plants with 500 mg/L humic acid increased water uptake and chlorophyll a content and decreased number of fallen florets. Application of 1000 mg/L humic acid increased total chlorophyll content. Pre-harvest treatment of flowers with 600 mg/L calcium chloride increased florets’ diameter, relative water content, chlorophyll b content and shelf life, as compared to other concentrations and different salicylic concentrations. In this research, the highest shelf life was observed for flowers sprayed with 1000 mg/L humic acid and 300 mg/L calcium chloride. Therefore, pre-harvest foliar application of humic acid, salicylic acid and calcium chloride could have positive effects on quantitative and qualitative traits of lilium cut flowers.