Effect of Willow Bark Extracts and Pinching On Performance of Flax (Linum Grandiflorum)

Abstract

A field research was conducted on the “effect of Willow bark extracts and Pinching on performance of flax” at ornamental horticulture nursery, The University of Agriculture Peshawar, in 2022-2023. Research study was laid out in Randomized complete block design (RCBD) with two factors. Factor A was Willow bark extracts concentrations (O, 2, 4, and 6%) and Factor B was pinching types (un-pinched, 1 inch pinching and 2 inch pinching). The result showed that WBE and pinching had significantly affected almost all the parameters and the interaction between WBE and pinching was non-significant. Means data referring to WBE concentrations revealed that WBE sprayed at 6% concentrations resulted in maximum plant height (52.83), branches plant-1 (27.33), tillers plant-1 (5.73), capsules plant-1 (192.55), number of seed per capsule (8.06), and least days of flowering (72.22).While plants that are sprayed with distilled water (contro/0%WBE) produced least plant height (37.93), branches plant-1 (22.44), number of tillers plant-1 (4.3), number of flowers plant-1 (54.99), number of capsules plant-1 (75.55), number of seed per capsules (5.53), and more days of flowering (82.22). Among the mean data referring to pinching types revealed that 2″pinched plants resulted in maximum branches plant-1 (26.58), tillers plant-1 (6.47), number of flowers plant-1 (64.58), capsules plant-1 (144.49), number of seed per capsule (6.97), minimum days to flowering (69.99), plant height (34.83). While plants that are were un-pinched (control) produced least number branches plant-1 (21.74), number of tillers plant-1 (4.12), number of capsules plant-1 (125.66), number of seed per capsules (5.95), maximum plant height (53.02) and days of flowering (83.33). It is concluded from the result that WBE at 6% concentrations was most effective while 2″ pinching is recommended for better production of flax.