Performance of exotic tulip cultivars under agro-climatic conditions of Multan

The tulip (Tulipa spp.) is a widely recognized ornamental flower, appreciated for its aesthetic appeal and diverse varieties. This research aimed to evaluate the performance of twelve exotic tulip cultivars namely Syneda King, Amesterdam, Apricot Fox, White Density, Benvan Zanteen, Yellow King, Leen VD Mark, Syneda Orange, Red Gender, White Prince, Escape, and Antarcia under the agro-climatic conditions of Multan, Pakistan. The study conducted at the Horticultural Research Substation for Floriculture and Landscaping during 2016-17, employed a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Results indicated significant variability among the cultivars in terms of days to sprouting, number of leaves per plant, days to flowering, number of flowers per plant, plant height, number of bulbs per plant, bulb diameter, and bulb weight. The cultivar Red prince exhibited the shortest sprouting time (19.38 days), while Antarcia took the longest time for flowering emergence (90.59 days). Syneda King yielded the highest number of leaves per plant (6.87), flowers per plant (3.00), and bulbs per plant (3.20), as well as the largest bulb diameter (3.82 cm) and heaviest bulbs (16.62 g). The findings provide valuable insights for tulip cultivation in Multan addressing challenges such as lack of awareness, limited propagation material availability, and high production costs. The results contribute to the promotion of the floriculture industry in Multan, facilitating local farmers in cut-flower production and meeting the demands of the local market. © 2019 The Author(s)