Volume: 5, 2026
5th International PhD Students’ Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland:
ENVIRONMENT – PLANT – ANIMAL – PRODUCT
Abstract number: P017
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL5.P017
Published online: 22 April 2026
Effect of hypochlorous acid and Polyversum on yield and health of tulip ‘Apricot Pride’
Barbara Marcinek1, Michał Bąk*1 and Marek Kopacki2
1 Institute of Horticulture Production, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, 28 Głęboka St., 20-612 Lublin, Poland
2 Department of Plant Protection, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, 7 Leszczyńskiego St., 20-069 Lublin, Poland
* Corresponding author: michal.bak@up.edu.pl
The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of hypochlorous acid and Polyversum WP on the yield and health status of tulips ‘Apricot Pride’ from the Darwin Hybrid group. The experiment included bulb treatment before planting in hypochlorous acid solutions at concentrations of 2.5% and 5% for 30 minutes, foliar spraying performed twice after flowering at 10-day intervals, and a combination of both application methods. Polyversum WP was applied analogously as bulb treatment and foliar spraying. The study also included a control treatment with fungicide application (carbendazim for bulb treatment and Amistar 250 SC – azoxystrobin – for spraying) and a control without chemical protection. Weather conditions during the growing season were not conducive to grey mould infection and were favorable for tulip growth and development. No statistically significant differences were found in tepal length (mean 10.9 cm) or flower stem length (56.7–57.9 cm), although slightly shorter stems were observed in plants treated with 5% hypochlorous acid. Yield evaluation was based on bulb grading, including number and weight of bulbs in individual fractions, as well as total and marketable yield, defined as bulbs with a circumference >11 cm. No significant differences were found in the yield of first-grade bulbs (>12 cm) and second-grade bulbs (11–12 cm), both used for cut flower production.
The highest marketable yield was obtained from bulbs treated with fungicide, while significantly lower yields were recorded in plants subjected to foliar spraying with hypochlorous acid, regardless of concentration. This may indicate a potential phytotoxic effect, leading to a shortened assimilation period and earlier senescence of aboveground parts. No significant decrease in yield was observed in treatments combining bulb soaking and foliar spraying with hypochlorous acid. Mycological analysis of daughter bulbs showed no significant differences in infection levels between treatments. No pathogens from the genera Fusarium and Botrytis were detected. The dominant pathogens were fungi of the genus Penicillium. The applied treatments did not significantly reduce their occurrence. The results indicate that the effectiveness of the tested methods may depend on weather conditions during the growing season and highlight the need for further research.
Keywords: bulb treatment; bulb yield; geophytes; microbiological preparations
How to cite
Marcinek B., Bąk M., Kopacki M., 2026. Effect of hypochlorous acid and Polyversum on yield and health of tulip ‘Apricot Pride’. In: 5th International PhD Students’ Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: Environment – Plant – Animal – Product. https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL5.P017