Abstract. Spraying the Sparaxis tricolor plants with Tytanium in concentration of 0.04% twice increases the number of corms in the total and marketable yield. A higher concentration of Tytanium (0.08%) unfavourably influences yield of offspring corms. Leaf-feeding of Sparaxis plants with Tytanium is especially profitable in the years with unfavourable weather conditions, particularly when there is lack of rain and high temperature after planting corms in spring.

The influence of Titanium upon the crop
of Sparaxis tricolor Ker-Gawl. growing in the field

Summary

A two-factor field experiment was carried out in the years 2000-2003 to examine the influence of Titanium (0.8% Ti) on the crop of Sparaxis tricolor Ker-Gawl corms. Three concentrations of Titanium were used: 0.02%, 0.04% and 0.08% and three forms of application: soaking the corms before planting (1 h); spraying the plants twice before flowering; soaking the tubers (1 h) and spraying the plants before flowering. Use of Titanium in concentration of 0.04% increased the number of offspring corms by 15% on average. Higher concentration of Titanium (0.08%) had an unfavourable effect on offspring corms yield.

The most efficient form of application was leaf-feeding of the plants; soaking the corms exclusively before planting did not give visible results as far as the crop is concerned. Better effects of using Titanium were noted when the draught in spring and high temperatures had a certainly negative influence on the growth, flowering and yielding of sparaxis.