Effect of Bulb Size and Climatic Conditions on Vegetative and Reproductive Attributes of Polianthes tuberosa L. cultivated in Algeria

Abstract

Tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa L.) is an ornamental and medicinal plant, cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions for its fragrant cut flowers and perfume industries, P. tuberosa flowers are the source of the highest-quality tuberose oil that remains today the most expensive raw material in perfumery. Furthermore, bulb size influences the flowering of P. tuberosa L. and creates a problem for tuberose flower production. Aims in this study were climatic condition and bulbs size variation, which were investigated to enhance the bulb size and climatic condition for improving tuberose production in Algeria. A culture of P. tuberosa L. bulbs was conducted in the field and under shelter using different bulb diameters, growing and flowering parameters were recorded for each plant, from planting to maturity. According to the obtained results, a good growth of tuberose was noticed with the big bulbs (diameter≥2 cm), i.e., bulb germination, leaf emergence, and the number of leaves by dominance for the bulbs cultivated under shelter, compared to those grown in the field. Regarding flowering, it was influenced mainly by bulb size, where only big bulbs gave flowers, and flowering characteristics were improved by the under shelter culture neither in the field. In general and according to the present work, for a good growth and for a better production of P. tuberosa flowers, bulbs culture under shelter using bulbs of 2-4 cm in diameter were recommended.