Yang Qiu¹, Zhongkui Xie¹, Yajun Wang¹, Hailian Wei^1,2, Lihua Zhang³, Cuiping Hua^1,2, Jie Li^1,2 and Yubao Zhang^1
1 Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China
² University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
³ Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, China

SUMMARY A field experiment was conducted to determine the appropriate fertilizer level and plant density for bulb yield and bulb diameter of a lily (Lilium davidii var. unicolor) under local environmental conditions in Gansu Province, China. Treatment factors consisted of four fertilizer levels: no fertilizer applied (control), and low, middle, and high levels, which were crossed with three planting densities: 9, 15, and 21 plants m-2. Morphological and growth characteristics, as well as bulb yield and bulb diameter of the lily, were monitored and recorded. Results showed that fertilizer level had a significant effect on plant height, as well as stem and leaf biomass, in the flowering and bulb growth stages. A low planting density improved the early growth of lily plants, but a high planting density was beneficial to their growth in the bulb growing stage. Fertilizer level had significant effect on bulb diameter, while plant density significantly affected bulb yield, and the interaction between them had a significant impact on bulb diameter. Considering only the bulb yield of lily, the low fertilizer level of 150 kg ha-1 urea and 3,000 kg of organic fertilizer ha-1 applied to lily plants at a high plant density (21 plants m-2) is recommended for robust plant growth, for which the maximum bulb yield attained was 8,788.89 kg ha-1. But if the goal is to obtain higher grades and prices for this particular lily, a low fertilizer level coupled to a low plant density (9 plants m-2) is instead recommended for maximizing this plant’s bulb diameter. Keywords bulb diameter, bulb yield, fertilizer application level, Lanzhou lily (Lilium davidii var. unicolor), planting density

Significance of this study What is already known on this subject? Appropriate fertilizer level and planting density are crucial to achieving the high and stable yield for many crops. They affect soil fertility and the ability of crops to capture resources in local environment. What are the new findings? The bulb yield and bulb diameter of Lanzhou lily were significantly affected by different fertilizer level and planting density. Fertilizer level had a significant effect on bulb diameter, while planting density significantly affected bulb yield. What is the expected impact on horticulture? The maximum bulb yield was observed when lower fertilizer level jointly applied with a high plant density. If the goal is to obtain high grade and cash bulbs, a low fertilizer level combining with a low planting density is recommended instead. The results would be helpful for lily farmers to optimize fertilization management and plant cultivation.

E-mail: wangyajun@lzb.ac.cn  

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Received: 7 July 2020 | Accepted: 10 November 2020 | Published: 19 October 2021 | Available online: 19 October 2021