Influence of Salicylic Acid and Benzyladenine on Vegetative Growth and Flower Production of Ranunculus (<i>Ranunculus asiaticus</i> L.)

A pot experiment was carried out at the Floriculture Section, ARI, Tarnab, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Pots were arranged in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Two factors were studied in the experiment. Salicylic acid solution (0, 50, 100, 150 ppm) and Benzyladenine (50, 100, 150 ppm). The experimental results demonstrated that both treatments significantly enhanced the vegetative growth and flowering attributes of Ranunculus. Treated plants exhibited significantly enhanced growth compared with the control, which showed comparatively poor development. Treatment of tuberous root with 150 ppm salicylic acid significantly reduced days to emergence, while survival percentage (%), plant height (cm), stalk diameter (mm), days to flower bud emergence, number of stalk plant-1, total flower buds plant-1, flower diameter (mm) and number of daughter tuberous root was significantly improved. Similarly application of various concentrations of benzyladnine considerably improved survival percentage (%), plant height (cm), stalk diameter (mm), days to flower bud emergence, no. of stalk plant-1, total flower buds plant-1, flower diameter (mm) and no. of daughter tuberous root. While no vigorous vegetative and reproductive growth was observed in control treatment. Based on the experimental findings, it can be concluded that soaking Ranunculus tuberous roots for two hours positively affected vegetative and reproductive traits. Moreover, foliar application of benzyladenine at the 5th leaf stage further improves growth and flower quality.