1- Ardakan University
2- Ardakan University , mdehestani@ardakan.ac.ir
Abstract: (74 Views)
Background and Objective: Narcissus tazetta L. cv. ‘Shahla’ is an important ornamental and medicinal bulbous plant valued for its fragrance and cut flower quality. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of natural biostimulants, sodium nitroprusside, and melatonin on the morpho‑physiological and biochemical characteristics of Narcissus cv. Shahla.
Methods: A field experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with nine treatments and three replications to evaluate the effects of natural biostimulants on growth and flower quality of N. tazetta. Treatments included moringa leaf extract (2.5% and 5%), seaweed extract (20 and 40 g L⁻¹), sodium nitroprusside (50 and 100 mM), and melatonin (0.1 and 0.5 mM), applied twice as foliar sprays. Control plants were sprayed with distilled water.
Results: The 0.1 mM melatonin treatment produced the highest leaf length (365.18 mm) and shoot fresh weight (29.63 g). The 5% moringa extract significantly increased leaf width (45.30 mm), root fresh weight (40.56 g), and vase life (12 days) compared to 7 days in the control. The lowest electrolyte leakage (8.75%) was recorded in 20 g L⁻¹ seaweed extract, whereas the control showed the highest value (94.76%). The highest total protein content (4.06 mg g⁻¹ FW), peroxidase activity (2.12 ΔOD min⁻¹ mg⁻¹ protein), and catalase activity (3.24 ΔOD min⁻¹ mg⁻¹ protein) were obtained under 100 mM sodium nitroprusside treatment.
Conclusion: Generally, moringa leaf extract and sodium nitroprusside were the most effective treatments in enhancing quantitative and qualitative traits of N. tazetta, supporting their potential application in sustainable ornamental production systems.