Willow Bark Extracts Ameliorate the Vegetative and Flowering Attributes of Tuberose CV. Single AT Calcareous Soil of High pH

The study's goals are to assess different weeping willow bark extract concentrations, ideal application times, and how these factors combine to improve tuberose growth and flower quality. The growth and quality production of plants is negatively affected by several biotic and abiotic stresses including high potential of hydrogen (pH). Plants biostimulants are environmentally and eco-friendly which may involve in promoting sustainable production. Willow is not only a source of salicylic acid (SA) but also known as a natural and local source of bioactive, inexpensive and self-achieved plant biostimulants. An experiment on the effect of weeping willow bark extracts and their time of application on the growth and flower production of tuberose was carried out at the Ornamental Horticulture Nursery, Department of Horticulture, The University of Agriculture Peshawar, Pakistan in 2022. The Soil texture of the experimental site was silt loam with high pH (8.1). The experimental design was a Complete Block Design, arranged in a split plot. There were two factors: Factor A (main-plot) application time i.e. 20, 30, 40 days after plant emergence and Factor B (sub-plot) willow bark extracts i.e. 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8%. The experimental findings revealed that WBE and their application time significantly improved all the studied parameters in tuberose. Interaction between <i>Willow Bark Extracts </i>(WBE) and time of application was found significant for leaf area and floret fresh weight. Maximum number of leaves, days to last floret opening, plant height, chlorophyll content, floret spike, days of vase life and least days to spike emergence were observed with application of 8% of WBE, it was statistically similar with application of WBE at 6 and 4%. Maximum leave plant<sup>-1</sup>, chlorophyll content; extended vase life and early spike emergence were noticed in plants sprayed 40 days after emergence. Maximum days to last floret opening, florets spike<sup>-1</sup>; tallest plants and least days to first floret opening were recorded in plants of tuberose treated 40 days after emergence that were statistically similar to the findings observed when plants were sprayed 30 days after emergence. It is concluded that foliar application of WBE at 4% proved best and economical for better growth and flower production with superior quality in tuberose. While, application of WBE, 40 days after plant emergence was found most effective for most of the studied attributes in Tuberose.