Antibacterial effect of Artemisia and ginger extracts in controlling Agrobacterium tumefaciens in roses

Rose is the world’s most traded cut flowers with 74 % being produced in Kenya. Pests like spider mites, caterpillar, aphids, thrips, nematodes and diseases such as crown gall, downy mildew, powdery mildew and botrytis highly compromise rose production. Crown gall disease caused by Agrobacterium tumefaciens is the most problematic disease of roses in Kenya, causing a production loss of up to 60 % depending on the age and variety of rose. An experiment to determine the antibacterial effect of Artemisia and ginger extracts was carried out in vitro, where the inhibitory zones around filter discs soaked with extracts on Muller Hinton agar was established. The extracts were emulsified with dimethylsulfoxide (50 %) and minimum inhibitory concentrations of Artemisia (125 mg/ml), ginger (62.5 mg/ml) and mixture of Artemisia and ginger (31.25 mg/ml) were used to soak the filter discs whereas the commercial recommended rate of copper hydroxide of 6.25 mg/ml was used. Artemisia and copper hydroxide (commercial antibiotic) had highest inhibition zone of 12.80 mm compared to ginger 10.60 mm. A mixture of Artemisia and Ginger had a slightly lower inhibition zone (10.20 mm) though not significantly different from ginger (P> 0.001). An eight-month greenhouse experiment was also done to determine the efficacy of the extracts on inoculated rose plants. The results showed that crown gall incidence and gall weight were low but not significantly different from copper hydroxide and Artemisia. Crop vigor, which was indicated by stem length was highest for Artemisia treatment with an average of 73.54 cm followed by copper hydroxide (67.25 cm) while ginger and mixture of ginger and Artemisia had 53.44 cm and 64.70 cm respectively. From the results of this research, Artemisia and Ginger extracts are promising alternative to control crown gall and possibly other diseases in field crops. Artemisia performance compares well with copper hydroxide and therefore the best alternative to replace copper hydroxide.

The effects of preharvest LED light, melatonin and AVG treatments on the quality of postharvest snapdragon and vase life

Snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus) is one of top ten fresh-cut flowers in the United States; however, its short vase life limits its marketability. The purposes of this study were to test the effects of LED light, exogenous melatonin and one ethylene production inhibitor, AVG, on the quality of pre-harvest snapdragon and the prolongation of vase life after post-harvesting. Our results showed that snapdragon treated with 10 h white light followed by 6 h blue light (WB) inhibited stem elongation and lengths of the inflorescences, reduced the number of florets and vase life. On the contrary, snapdragon treated with 10 h white light, 3 h red light, 3 h blue light (WRB) significantly promoted stem elongation, lengths of the inflorescences, and increased the size and number of florets. The lengths of stems and inflorescences increased significantly in all melatonin treatments while quantity and size of florets only increased with 200 µmol·L-1 melatonin application. Noticeably, vase life was significantly extended with 200 µmol·L-1 melatonin application and shortened with WB treatment. In contrast to melatonin, all AVG treatments resulted in decreases of the floret size; and changes in stem elongation and inflorescence length were only observed in the treatment with 100 µmol·L-1AVG. These results showed that pre-harvest treatment with WBR and melatonin can effectively improve the post-harvest quality of snapdragon flowers and 200 µmol·L-1 of melatonin extended their vase life.

Performance of foliage ornamentals in hydroponic nutrient solutions

Vertical garden is one of the approach of green building envelope with green facades and green living walls creates a richer ecosystem, enhances biodiversity, improves mental health, alleviates environmental externalization generated by urban areas (Pollution, runoff and heat island effect etc). However, the limitations of vertical gardening system are the choice of plants and the module of growing. Numerous exotic and native ornamentals are suggested for vertical systems based on the requirements. Selection of plants grown under indoor environments with limited space is narrowing down the choice of ornamental flora. On the other hand hydroponics is an alternative sustainable production system under conditions in which resources are limited. Hydroponics is a very young science which has commercial basis during recent days. However, even in relative short period of time it has been adapted in many situations from outdoor to indoor for growing various crops. Hence, an experiment was conducted with Hoagland & Arnon solution (1938), Cooper’s solution (1979), Saparamadu’s solution (2010) and Mattson and Peters solution (2014) and a control with Irrigation water to study the rooting behavior of five plants viz., Devil’s ivy (Epipremunm aureum), Wandering jew (Zebrina pendula), Arrowhead plant (Syngonium podophyllum), Philodendron (Philodendron erubescens), Boat lily (Tradescantia spathacea) under passive hydroponic vertical garden module. The pH was monitored for acidity and basicity range and EC were monitored for salt concentration in all the nutrient solution periodically. Observation on root parameters viz., Number of roots plant -1, Root length (cm) and Root weight (g plant-1) were observed at 30, 60 and 90 days after planting. Results of the experiment revealed that number of roots, root length and root weight exerted maximum values in those plants grown under T3 (Cooper’s solution). Minimum rooting with lowest weight was recorded in T4 (Saparamadu solution) in all the stages of observation in devil’s ivy. Whereas in other four ornamentals viz., Wandering jew (Zebrina pendula), Arrowhead plant (Syngonium podophyllum), Philodendron (Philodendron erubescens) and Boat lily (Tradescantia spathacea) recorded lowest root parameters in T1 (Irrigation water) under 30 days of observation and at 60 and 90 days minimum number of roots, root length and root weight was recorded under T4 (Saparamadu solution).

Microbial Consortium Promotes Growth of Zinnia and Balsam Seedlings Raised in pro trays

Zinnia and Balsam are flowering plants with high economic importance in floriculture. Inoculation of the planting medium with a beneficial microbial consortium is an innovative approach to produce quality and healthy seedlings in floriculture. In the present study the influence of a microbial consortium of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) Funneliformis mosseae and a plant growth promoting rhizobacterium (PGPR) Bacillus sonorensis on flowering plants Zinnia and Balsam in pro-trays under poly house conditions was investigated. Estimation of various plant growth parameters such as plant height, stem diameter, bio-volume index, vigour index, plant strength, fresh weight, dry weight and nutrient uptake was carried out to analyse the ability of the consortium to improve seedling growth. Microbial parameters such as mycorrhizal root colonization and spore count, and population of PGPR in substrate was also studied. The results suggested that inoculating the substrate in pro trays before sowing the seeds with the consortium increased plant growth significantly compared to the uninoculated plants.

ORCHIDS GENETIC DIVERSITY FOR BLOOMING FLORICULTURE INDUSTRY

India is bestowed with different agro-climatic conditions and soil. This makes the country particularly suitable for growing a wide variety of horticulture crops especially flowers. Among the flowers, the orchids represent a fairly young, highly diverse, and successful family of flowering plants, the Orchidaceae. It is still in an active state of speciation. Some of their botanically significant features are presence of intricately fabricated and long-lasting flowers. The numerical strength of orchids, in terms of species have been variously assessed between 17,000 and 35,000. The orchids are in cosmopolitan in distribution. Rhizanthella gardneri and R. slateri are subterranean in habit and Corallorrhiza innata a rootless parasite. The orchids are essentially out breeders, having adapted to insect pollinations. India with a vast geographic expanse and climatic ones ranging from tropical to temperate, supports a rich diversity of flora. The orchids have naturalized here in great profusion; the North Eastern, the Himalayan, and the Peninsular regions (on the main land) and the Andaman and Nicobar region (off shores) are the major orchid habitats in the country, while the occurrence of nearly 1100 species in 157 genera are representing all the major orchid tribes. Efforts have been made to evolve strategies for ensuring the survival and maintenance of genetic diversity that still exists in these plants. In this connection, one need not overstress the importance of orchid breeding. Unfortunately, orchid breeding is still in infancy in the country. Now, there is a need to improve floriculture breeding to reduce the foreign exchange for good quality planting materials. Hence, it is important to explore the orchid wealth of the country. Important floriculture traits, geographical distribution and utility of orchids will also be discussed at length. Further, there is a need to create suitable varieties to different agro-climatic horti-silvi system and socio-economic condition. Since floriculture trade and consumption are increasing rapidly worldwide, there is a blooming opportunity for India to achieve better growth in its production and export due to presence of high amount of diversity in indigenous orchids flora, thus earning valuable foreign exchange through florist trade, nursery of plant saplings, potted plants, bulb and seed production, micro-propagation and other value added products of orchids.

GAMMA RAYS INDUCED MUTAGENIC STUDIES IN CATHARANTHUS ROSEUS (L.) G. DON., AN IMPORTANT ORNAMENTAL PLANT

A study was conducted to estimate the effect of gamma rays on growth and yield traits in periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don), an important horticulture plant. The seeds were treated with different levels of gamma rays (20, 25 and 30). Morphological parameters were analysed on the 30th day, like plant height, days of first flower, plant height, fresh weight per plant, dry weight per plant, root fresh weight per plant and root dry weight per plant. The morphological parameters were decreased with increasing levels of gamma rays doses.

ECONOMIC OF GREEN HOUSE ROSE PRODUCTION IN KRISHNAGIRI DISTRICT, INDIA

Horticulture crops play a unique role in economy of a country and its farmers. The conventional open field crops production generates and unremunerated production and cause of biodiversity. In order to overcome the problem, protected cultivation technology (green house) is need of the hour. Protected cultivation technology can be an effective mechanism for conserving agro-biodiversity. Greenhouse rose cultivation, an investment intensive and which need specific knowledge, skill and thoroughness in production, increases the income level of the farmer. Hence an attempt was made to study the economics of greenhouse cultivation. Krishnagiri district is the major producer of flower crops in Tamil nadu. There are 10 blocks, they are arranged in descending order and top two blocks viz., Hosur and Thalli were selected. Greenhouse growers list of the selected blocks were prepared and 60 respondents were randomly selected from the list. The study found that the average greenhouse size was at 1.76unit. (1 unit =1000sq. m). It found that gross return from greenhouse unit per year was at Rs.10, 95000 and the net return was at Rs.6, 33,797.95. BCR was 1.46 at 15 per cent discount rate.

CULTIVATION OF ROSE (ROSA INDICA L.)

Rose, locally called Gulab-Jo-Gul (In Sindhi) belongs to family Rosaceae. Its botanicalname is Rosa indica L. in the order Rosales. Rosaceae is a larger plant family which have hundreds (100) of generas and over thousands of species which contains shrubs, herbs and trees etc. Rose is very much important plant from various aspects. It is widely used throughout the world including love movements, medical purposes, cosmetic uses, happy events, celebrations, welcome parties, ornamentallyas well as food tonic supplement, so, they have value but same time they are cultivated at small area in the country due to several reason. However they are climatically well adopted and tolerates adverse environmental conditions. Lack of improved production technology plus awareness about cultivation are major issues in every part of the globe. Unfortunately in agricultural research life, rose cultivation sector is most ignored around the world, less work and less promotion of its cultivation causing reduced availability. Therefore introduction of climatically well adopted production technology is essential which provides briefly guide to formers from scope of rose along with cultivation processes.Â

Estimation of consumers demand functions of cut-flowers products: A case study of Pakistani, Punjab

The objective of this study was to estimate purchase frequency of the selected cut-flower items and demand functions in Punjab and Pakistan. Simple random sampling technique was employed to collect primary data from 120 consumers using a well-structured and field pretested questionnaire during the year 2012-13. The results of the findings revealed that the average price was the highest in case of flowers stage decoration (Rs. 9546), followed by jewelry set (Rs. 677), flower basket (Rs. 394), mala (Rs. 334,), bouquets (Rs. 259), garland (Rs. 41), and gajjra (Rs. 21). Most of the selected consumers (61%) occasionally purchased flowers. The reason of occasionally purchasing was that mostly the consumers purchased the flowers at the occasions of various ceremonial days, i.e., Valentines Day, birth of baby, and death of a relative, etc. About 45% of the selected consumers preferred rose flower. The reasons of high preference for rose flowers were that this is a common flower, mostly grown in all areas of Pakistan and everyone is familiar to it. After rose the jasmine flower (27%) is preferred due to its attractive smell and fragrance, it is also a common flower and mostly grown in Pakistan. It is the national flower of Pakistan. The results of the demand function revealed that the variable of age was significant for the selected cut-flower items, but the variable of education of the consumers was insignificant in case of flowers car decoration. The consumers are restrained to decide about the rational price of the item purchased. There is a limited number of cut-flower shops. Majority of the shops are located in the rich areas of the cities. Common consumers are to travel long distances to purchase flower items. More retail flower shops should be set up by the local bodies in all parts of the cities. The market committees should standardize prices for cut-flower items for the benefit of consumers. Policy need to be designed to increase the demand of flowers by electronic and press media.

Impact of water deficit stress on biomass production of different gladiolus cultivars under rainfed condition

Among the environmental stresses, water deficit stress was recognized to be one of the most adverse factors for plant growth and productivity. The study aimed to comparatively evaluate impact of water deficit stress on biomass of seven cultivars of gladiolus in terms of leaf area duration and net assimilation rate under rainfed conditions in northeastern region of India. Also, productions in terms of marketable spikes were compared. The parameters were measured using standard procedures. Comparatively higher leaf area duration (116 days) and net assimilation rate were found in cultivars Aarti (116 days and1.62 gcm-2day-1x10-3 respectively) and Suchitra (98.0 days and 1.10 gcm-2day-1x10-3) which account for their higher biomass production with larger spike size with good numbers of flowers. The highest marketable spikes (71111.11 spikes ha-1) was found in cultivar Aarti followed by Suchitra (68148.14 spikes ha-1) which might be due to its comparatively higher biomass production and less deviation, during stress condition, from normal characteristics. The tolerant cultivars are those that can adapt to the change without much change in their normal growth. And the responses of those species are commercially acceptable that promote adaptation without compromising much with the plant growth and crop production.