This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of different concentrations of humic acid (0, 100, 500 and 1000 mg/L) and spraying times (1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks) on growth and yield of the ‘Hanza’ stock flower (Matthiola incana). The experiment was factorial, based on a completely randomized design, with 16 treatments and 7 replications in each treatment. Results of analysis of variance revealed that there were significant differences in number of leaves, plant height and chlorophyll content in the evaluated plants in various humic acid concentrations. However, spraying intervals showed no significant differences for the measured traits. Also, time of planting to flowering was significantly shortened in plants treated with different concentrations of humic acid. The longest time from planting to flowering (139 days) belonged to control treatment, which differed significantly with plants treated by 500 and 1000 mg/L humic acid. Analysis of variance showed that the effect of concentration on maximum fluorescence (Fm) and effect of spraying intervals on minimum fluorescence (F0) and variable fluorescence (Fv) were significantly different at 5% probability level. The highest value of Fm, F0 and Fv (1453.58, 270.16 and 1183.42, respectively) was found in plants treated by 500 mg/L humic acid. No significant difference was observed in photochemical-quantum yield (Fv/Fm) in response to different treatments.

Keywords: Growth, Matthiola, Flowering, Chlorophyll, Fluorescence

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