The effect of different soil moisture levels on yield and some quality parameters of lisianthus

This study was carried out to determine the effect of different irrigation intervals (SA1: 2 days and SA2: 4 days) and soil moisture levels (S1= S1×1.00, S2=S1×0.75, S3 = S1×0.50, S4 = S1×0.25) on yield and quality parameters of lisianthus (Eustoma grandiflorum Raf. Shinn.) plants in 2014. In the study, Eustoma grandiflorum Raf. (Shinn.) 'Arena White' varieties with white colored, layered flowers were used. The amount of irrigation water applied was 180.25-493.58 mm, and the measured evapotranspiration ranged between 283.13-493.58 mm. Different soil moisture levels statistically affected the stem length, stem diameter, stem weight, the number of flowers, dry matter, leaf area index, and the number of nodes in lisianthus. In the study, stem length, stem diameter, stem weight, the number of flowers, dry matter, leaf area index and the number of nodes ranged from 46.40-77.76 cm, 3.86-6.09 mm, 34.99-70.14 g, 5.21-8.57 number/stem, from 12.57 % to 15.48 %, from 1.10 to 3.91 cm2/cm2, and from 7.03 to 9.39 nodes/stem, respectively. As a result of the research, considering the marketable yield and stem length, which is the most important quality parameter, S1, where all the moisture decreasing from the field capacity is applied at two- or four-days intervals, was determined as the most suitable irrigation program in experimental conditions