Micropropagation protocol of Oriental Hybrid Lilium cv. Ravenna was developed using bulb scale segments (Basal and Tip) as explants. Surface sterilization of healthy bulb scales with carbendazim 200 ppm for 30 min, then 0.1 percent mercuric chloride for 10 min, then 70% ethyl alcohol for 30 s was superior to all other treatments in recording highest culture asepsis (77.08%) and higher explant survival (86.12%). Explant survival was higher in basal segments (88.54%) compared to tip segments (85.52%). Highest culture establishment was recorded in basal scale segments (68.26%) followed by tip scale segments (55.21%). MS medium augmented with 0.50 mgl −1 Naphthalene acetic acid and 2.0 mgl −1 . 6-Benzylamino Purine recorded maximum culture establishment (76.17%), highest bulblet number/explant (5.52) with maximum length of shoots (2.20 cm) and number of leaves (3.39). This treatment combination of growth regulators resulted in highest shoot proliferation (83.33%) along with maximum shoot number (2.41explant −1 ), shoot length (2.35 cm) and leaf number (5.44) of micro shoots during proliferation stage. Rooting of explants was superior with Indole-3-butyric acid compared to Naphthalene acetic acid. Highest rooting of 92.71% along with maximum number of primary roots shoot −1 (12.06), maximum primary root length (3.17 cm) was documented in Murashige and Skoog medium added with Indole-3-butyric acid 1.50 mgl −1 with best ex vitro survival rate (98.96%) of rooted plantlets during primary hardening in perlite + vermiculite (1:1) mixture.

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Seed priming improves seed performance under environmental conditions. The study was designed to evaluate the effect of different priming treatments on the germination behaviour of Honesty (Lunaria annua L.). The experiment was conducted under a complete randomized design (CRD) with three replications. Seed priming was done with different concentrations of calcium chloride (CaCl2), potassium nitrate (KNO3) and hydro priming. All the treatments except T1 (Control) had a significant effect on seedling establishment and seedling vigour, Results show that maximum invigoration was observed in seeds primed at 1% KNO3 while minimum invigoration was observed in T1 (Control). It was concluded that the germination percentage could be increased by using lower concentrations of KNO3 and CaCl2.

Lilium is one of the most important cut flower and ranks second among bulbous flowers in international market. The scope of the study lies in the fact that despite having the congenial climate of Kashmir for bulb production, the cultivators are importing the bulbs from abroad, so there was need to rationalize the nutrition for optimum plant growth and bulb yield of lilies under Kashmir valley conditions. Consequently, an investigation was undertaken to evaluate the differential response of Asiatic lilies cultivars to different methods of application and nitrogen sources (urea and calcium nitrate) in terms of plant growth, bulb development and yield. Significant differences were observed in growth parameters and behaviour of two cultivars viz., Serreda and Navona. Calcium nitrate significantly improved plant height, leaf area (LA) and LA index (LAI) recorded at 50, 75, 90, and 105 days after planting (DAP). Bulb yield parameters (weight of mother bulb, weight of bulblets, number of bulbs plant-1, propagation coefficient) varied significantly between the two cultivars. Calcium nitrate significantly improved bulb weight, bulb circumference, the number of bulbs plant−1 and propagation coefficient. However, the effect of three and four split nitrogen application on plant height, LA and LAI was significant at 90-105 day interval. Ca(NO3)2 was more effective in ensuring the prompt availability of nitrogen to plants as compared to urea (NH2CONH2); also it was advantageous for improving the bulb growth because of presence of critically important micronutrient i.e. calcium. Split application of nitrogen was advantageous not only in improving the growth and yield attributes but also in preventing the significant losses of nitrogen caused by various processes such as leaching.