EFFECT OF COMPOST, POTASSIUM SILICATE AND AMINO ACIDS ON IRIS PLANTS CV. WEDGEWOOD

Bulbs of Iris tingitana L., cv. Wedgewood plants were cultured on Nov. 5^th in a sandy soil which was amended with compost at 0, 2, 4 and 6%(g/g). Plants were foliar sprayed 3 times with tap-water (control), mixed amino acids (AA) at 0.5, 1 and 2 g/l or potassium silicate (KS) at 1, 2 and 3 ml/l. Compost and foliar treatments had positive significant effects on vegetative growth traits (leaf area and its fresh and dry weights) flower traits (peduncle length and its fresh and dry weights and flower fresh and dry weights) as well as, mother plant bulb and new developing bulblets fresh weights. Generally, most of these traits were increased with 4% (g/g) compost. It was noticeable that amino acids at 0.5 g/l was more effective than the other concentrations. Also, 2 ml/l of potassium silicate had a more pronounced effect than the other concentrations. It could be concluded that amendment of the sandy soil with 4% (g/g) compost and treating plants with either 0.5 g/l of amino acids or 2 m/l potassium silicate enhanced vegetative growth, flowering and bulbs productivity of Iris plants.