The autumn daffodil (Sternbergia lutea) is a bulbous plant in the Amaryllidaceae family. Its bright yellow flowers bloom in autumn, and it has low water requirements, making it a promising candidate for development as an ornamental plant in landscaping. This study, conducted from September 2017 to October 2018, evaluated fluctuations in the elements N, P, K, Fe, Zn, and Cu were evaluated during three stages: entering dormancy (June), during dormancy (July), and exiting dormancy (October). These fluctuations were assessed in different tissues of the bulb (outer scales, inner scales, basal plate, and bud), as well as in the leaves and roots of the autumn daffodil. Results indicated that during the entering dormancy stage, the highest concentrations of N, Cu, and Zn were found in the basal plate, while the outer scales had the highest P content; Fe showed no significant variation at this stage. During the dormancy phase, the inner scales exhibited the highest levels of N, and the buds had the highest P levels, while Cu, Fe, and Zn were primarily associated with the basal plate. In the exit from dormancy stage, the basal plate contained the highest amounts of N, P, and Fe, Zn peaked in the bud, and Cu levels were comparably high in both the bud and basal plate. Throughout all three stages, the outer scales consistently had the highest K content. In the second part of the experiment, the highest concentrations of N, P, K, and Zn in leaf tissue were recorded during the exit from dormancy stage. Conversely, the highest amounts of Fe and Cu were found during the entering dormancy stage. In root tissue, the exit from dormancy stage yielded the highest levels of N, P, Cu, and Zn, whereas K and Fe were most abundant during the entering dormancy stage. Understanding the patterns of nutrient fluctuations across tissues and physiological stages of the autumn daffodil provides a solid scientific basis for optimizing nutrient supply timing. Coordinating nutrition with the plant's growth and dormancy phases can enhance growth performance during the current season and improve the quality and uniformity of flowering in the next growth cycle. This approach increases nutrient use efficiency and can contribute to higher productivity in the cultivation of this ornamental species. |
