Effect of nitric oxide on growth, flowering and bulb yield of Eucomis autumnalis

Nitric oxide is a signaling molecule, which plays an important role in many developmental processes of plants. This study aimed to determine ways to improve the growth and flowering of Eucomis autumnalis by applying the nitric oxide donor - sodium nitroprusside (SNP). Plants were drenched with SNP solutions at concentrations of 0, 10, 20 and 40 mg L^-1 four times, at weekly intervals. The results showed that SNP treatments at all concentrations significantly improved the greenness index of leaves and accelerated anthesis as compared to the control. In addition, the application of SNP at 10 and 20 mg L^-1 increased the total plant height, length and width of inflorescence, and the number of florets and bulbs. SNP also had a significant impact on the concentration of total sugar and total protein in bulbs.