evaluation of the effects of calcium nitrate and calcium sulfate on the resistance of gray mold (botrytis cinerea) on two cultivars of lily cut flower (lilium sp.) under greenhouse conditions

this experiment was carried out on lily cut flowers in greenhouse conditions and at the agricultural faculty of guilan university. the statistical factorial experiment was performed in a completely randomized design of three replications. the main factors studied were cultivars navona (asiatic) and fangio (la) along with four levels of calcium sulfate (0, 2.5, 5 and 10 mm) in combination with three levels of calcium nitrate (0, 1.5 and 2 mm) . the results indicated that the combined effects, conjugated of calcium nitrate and calcium sulfate led to plants resistance against grey mold, and also with an improvement in the post harvest life. the resulting means indicated that the indexes were different at a 5 percent level of significance. the highest petal resistance to grey mold was observed at 5 and 1.5 mm of calcium sulfate and calcium nitrate levels respectively. also the lowest ethylene and highest phenolic compounds production were observed in the highest resistant flowers. the lowest grey mold resistance was observed in the case of 0 mm calcium nitrate and calcium sulfate (control), while ethylene production being the highest. the highest vase life was observed in 1.5 mm calcium nitrate level of treatment for both navona and fangio cultivars. all in all, the results indicated that, the best treatment for botrytis resistance in navona and fangio varieties is 1.5 and 5 mm of calcium nitrate and calcium sulfate respectively. the results finally indicated that one of the methods of decreasing grey mold injury and increasing vase life of lily cut flower is the proportionate use of calcium nitrate and calcium sulfate.