Effect of Plant Growth Regulators on Growth and Quality Flower Production of Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum Indicum L.)

A field study was conceded to assess the effect of plant growth regulators on growth and quality flower production of chrysanthemum at Horticulture Research Centre (HRC), Gazipur, Bangladesh. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with ten (10) treatments and three replications. The treatments of plant growth regulators concentration were T1-50 ppm GA3, T2-100 ppm GA3, T3-150 ppm GA3, T4-400 ppm CCC, T5-600 ppm CCC, T6-800 ppm CCC, T7-250 ppm MH, T8-500 ppm MH, T9-750 ppm MH and, T10-Control. The maximum spreading of plant (27.0 cm) was observed when plants were treated with GA3 @ 150 ppm where the minimum plant spread (16.8 cm) was recorded in plants treated with CCC @ 800 ppm. The higher number of suckers (33) per pot was produced when pots were treated with GA3 @ 150 ppm whereas, application of CCC at three different concentrations produced lower number of suckers. The highest number of flower (40) was recorded with 150 ppm GA3, where minimum number of flowers (25) per pot in 800 ppm CCC. The plants sprayed with 50 ppm GA3 took 48 days to flower initiation, whereas, it took 70 days with 750 ppm MH. the highest plants recorded (7.40 cm) with 800 ppm CCC, whereas, lowest size (6.50 cm) was obtained with the application of 500 ppm MH. The maximum vase life of flowers was recorded for the treatment 800 ppm CCC (15 days), which was at par with 13 days vase life obtained by spraying 600 ppm CCC. Therefore, it is concluded that the GA3 acted as growth promoter and the CCC acted as growth retardants on yield and quality of chrysanthemum.

The Control of Pathogenic Fungi with Trichoderma in Banjar Pinge, Tabanan of Bali Province

Pinge is one of the traditional sub-village (banjar) in Baru Village, Marga Sub district, Tabanan Regency of Bali Province. There are 36% of villagers living below the poverty line where 85% of them are farmers who cultivate fruit and flowers. They have many problems with fruit and flower production as the yields is low due to natural disasters and poor agricultural practice and support. Some flower growers often complain of low flower production, especially Marigold flowers due to the attack of pathogenic fungi that cause flower blight. The solution to solve the problems faced by partners is: by providing Appropriate Technology in the processing of cow dung into compost fertilizer plus trichoderma sp antagonist microorganisms. External targets to be achieved are the use of appropriate technology in the processing technology of cow dung into compost plus Trichoderma sp. Based on the results of activities as much as 70% understand and are able to apply pest and disease control to flowers by utilizing biological agents. Trichoderma can reduce the intensity of disease above the ground by 50.00% and suppress the intensity in the soil by 34.48%. In addition, giving Trichoderma sp. can increase the fresh weight of the plant by up to 30.75%.

A Study of Floriculture Entrepreneurial Challenges in Odisha, India

Floriculture is the practice of cultivating and planting flowers for commercial purposes. Odisha is a state with a lot of flower production and commercial possibilities. The government has also created some policies for Floriculture under the Department of Horticulture, taking into account the demand and scope of flowers in the state. Floriculture provides a wealth of opportunities for the state's residents, not only in terms of farming, but also in terms of employment. Rose, marigold, jasmine, lotus, and champa are some of the flowers that have had a high demand over the years and are currently intended for export. The state's agro-climatic conditions are ideal for flower planting, and the number of flower plantations is increasing day by day to meet domestic demand as well as the demands of the state's enterprises. Now, floriculture is solely for commercial purposes, with small and medium-sized businesses relying on it.

Productivity of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp) genotypes under Varying Population Densities

To investigate the influence of three population densities (88,000, 44,000, and 29,000 plants/ha) on the growth and yield of five cowpea varieties (IT97K-461, IT97K-568-18, IT98K-131-2, IT99K-1060 and IT99K-`245), a field experiment was conducted at Teaching and Research farm of Landmark University. Growth parameters such as germination count, plant height, and number of trifoliate leaves per plant, number of branches per plant, flower production dynamics and dry matter determination were measured, while harvest index, shelling percentage, number of seeds per pod, see weight pods per plant and grain yield were measured at harvest as yield components. Data were subjected to statistical analysis of variance (ANOVA) using SAS Institute. Significant means were separated using Duncans Multiple Range Test at 5% probability level. Results revealed that there were no constant trends in growth parameters response to population density. Plant height and flower production decreased with increased population density, while number of leaves per plant and dry matter increased with increasing population density. There was no appreciable effect of population density on branching. All these parameters were significantly (p≤0.05) affected with variety, while there was no significant (p≤0.05) interaction effect. Most yield components decreased with increasing population density while grain yield however, slightly increased with increasing population density. All yield parameter and grain yield significantly varied with variety, while there were no appreciable interaction effect. In conclusion, a population density of 88,000 plants /ha gives the highest growth and grain yield. While, variety, IT97-568-18 gives the higher growth and grain yield than other varieties studied.

The Optimal Concentration of KH2PO4 Enhances Nutrient Uptake and Flower Production in Rose Plants via Enhanced Root Growth

Monopotassium phosphate is a widely used phosphorus and potassium fertiliser for ornamental plants, but it is not known what concentration will result in optimal flower production, root growth and nutrient uptake of rose plants. We compared potted rose plants fertilised with six different concentrations (0.0 as a water-only control, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 and 5.0 g·L−1) of an aqueous monopotassium phosphate solution as a combination of foliar and soil applications over two consecutive flowering cycles. Rose growth, flower production and nutrient accumulation responded differently to fertilisation with different concentrations of monopotassium phosphate. During the first flowering cycle, shoot and root dry weight, leaf chlorophyll content, flower diameter, total root length and surface area, and total fine root length significantly increased in response to increased monopotassium phosphate concentrations from 0.0 to 3.0 g·L−1 but decreased in response to fertilisation with 4.0 or 5.0 g·L−1 monopotassium phosphate. Similar trends were observed in shoot dry weight, leaf chlorophyll content, flower diameter and number, phosphorus and potassium accumulation during the second flowering cycle. According to quadratic equations derived from both flowering cycles, the optimal concentration of monopotassium phosphate, based on flower diameter and dry weight, as well as total phosphorus and potassium accumulation, was 2.6–3.0 g·L−1. Furthermore, total root length was significantly correlated with flower diameter, flower dry weight, and total phosphorus and potassium accumulation (p < 0.05). These results indicated that fertilisation with optimal concentrations of monopotassium phosphate can increase rose growth, flower productivity and nutrient uptake through enhanced root growth.

FLORAL BIOLOGY AND BEEKEEPING POTENTIAL OF Croton heliotropiifolius KUNTH (EUPHORBIACEAE) AT SEMI ARID REGION, BRAZIL1

ABSTRACT The aim of the present study was to determine the beekeeping potential of Croton heliotropiifolius Kunth (Euphorbiaceae) based on flowering strategy, floral characteristics, available floral resources, and the individuals frequencies and foraging activities of Apis mellifera L. on its flowers in Fazenda Ingazeira, Brazil. Each C. heliotropiifolius plant possessed inconspicuous diclinous flowers clustered into 560 ± 60 dense terminal inflorescences containing 59 ± 12 pistillate and 160 ± 26 staminate flowers. Although both types of flowers produced nectar (pistillate: 2.8 ± 0.8 μL ; staminate: 0.3 ± 0.06 μL ), A. mellifera workers mostly visited staminate flowers (98%) during the peak visitation period (08:00-11:00 h). Moreover, during the foraging period, each plant produced approximately 5.376 × 10 8 pollen grains, ensuring approximately 33 visitation cycles from a colony of A mellifera workers that picked up an average of 405 pollen grains per visit per flower. Further, C. heliotropiifolius showed an annual cornucopia flowering strategy with high flower production for five months, which is an important characteristic that ensures floral resource availability in the environment. These findings suggest that C. heliotropiifolius has a great potential for apiculture in this region.

New varieties and promising hybrids of Pelargonium grandiflorum hybridium hort. in humid subtropics of Russia

A genetic collection of the genus Pelargonium L’Herit. ex Ait., with 40 % stock represented by Pelargoniumgrandiflorum hybridium hort., is originated at the Federal Subtropical Research Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The main collection varieties, including Aristo, Elegance, Candy Flowers, Hazel and Bermuda, are foreign selections attaining their best qualities under optimal soil and climatic conditions. Cultivation in humid subtropics disturbs their growth and development, at the same time as deteriorating their productivity and ornamental value. The research aimed to study the hybrid stock towards the selection of hardiest, most ornamental and long-flowering forms corresponding to a specified variety model. The variety model developed for Russian subtropic agroclimate incorporated a main set of economically valuable and adaptively significant traits. Over 30 varietal crossbreedings have been conducted to select for promising recombinants and hybrid families. A high variability of phenotypic ornamental traits has been observed in the crosses offspring. We identified 15 promising hybrids from the total morphological trait combination. Adaptive selection against stress factors has been proved effective. The most successful combinations were Hazel Ripple x Yashma, Hazel Cherry x Rozovyy Briz and A. Darling x Rozovyy Briz. A subset of elite forms (Kd-15-43, Kr-16-28 and Kc-18-22) maximising the number of significant breeding traits have further been selected towards a higher total score (≥95). K.j.-17-15, Kq-18-04 and K.ya-16-03 were recognised promising for large-flowered form selection. The Yagodnyy Tsvet variety, Kv-18-01 and K.d.-18-09 hybrids (over 35 inflorescences) have been identified as sources for high flower production. K.p-17-65, Kr-16-28 and Kc-18-22 were the hybrids with flowering period exceeding 100 days. All crosses were based on Hazel as a maternal form sourcing the trait.

Flowering and fruiting phenology of jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.) from Sumatra landraces in ex situ conservation area in Karangmojo, Yogyakarta

This study aimed to determine the flowering and fruiting phenology of jackfruit originated from Sumatra landraces planted in ex situ conservation in Yogyakarta within the 2018 and 2019 flowering periods. Flowering ontogeny and phenology were observed following Owens and Pushpakumara methods. Results found five developmental stages of male inflorescences, which last in 64-101 days, ended by the drought and abscissed of the males. Female inflorescences undergo five stages which take 92-160 days in total. Differences in rainfall and the dry season period resulted in different onset and duration of flowering. In 2018, which has more rainfall and a shorter dry season, flowering initiates lately (February-June) with a longer duration (6 months). In 2019, the less rainfall and more extended dry season resulted in early flowering (January-April) with a shorter duration (4 months). The Medan landrace flowered later and longer. Flowering synchrony occurred between sexes within the same tree, but there was asynchronous flowering among individual trees. Water availability is crucial in flowering and fruit production. Flowering stimulation and pollination management may also be conducted to increase flower production, pollinating agents, and fruit production and synchronize the flowering.

Fertigation Temperature Adjustment Enhances the Yield and Quality of Saffron Grown in a Soilless Culture System

Saffron is one of the most appreciated, traditional, and expensive spices in the world. The objective of our study was to evaluate the effect of cooling the nutrient solution on the production, and organoleptic and commercial qualities of saffron grown in soilless culture. The nutrient solution was cooled to 4 to 5 °C whereas the control treatment was the fertigation supplied at ambient temperature. Corms were placed in a controlled cultivation chamber. The number of flowers per corms, and the weight and length of stigmas were measured. The amounts of safranal, crocin, and picrocrocin were analyzed spectrophotometrically according to the International Organization for Standardization [ISO/TS 3632-2 (2011) Normative]. Our results show that cooling of the nutritive solution increased flower production, the commercial phytochemical content, and organoleptic properties.