Parminder Singh

Effect of some chemicals on keeping quality of cut roses

The effect of inorganic salts, biocidal compounds and STS was investigated on the keeping quality of cut roses. AUfSOj),. 16H,0 and chlorine (prepared from bleaching powder i.e. CaOCl2) in vase solution signifi- cantly decreased the bacterial count in vase water and improved keeping quality in seven commercial cultivars of rose. These chemicals are recommended at 300 ppm and 50 ppm, respectively. STS increased vase life only in three cultivars, viz. Grand Gala, Sangria and Kiss but failed to contain the bacterial count in vase water. Althou- gh 8-HQC and K2S2O5 exercised considerable control over bacterial growth, they failed to extend vase life. Citric acid, Ca(N03)2 and KH2P04 neither controlled bacterial growth nor enhanced vase life. Ca(N03)2 and K2S205 instead exhibited phytotoxic effects on the foliage. NaOCl as a chlorine source inhibited opening of buds, caused abscission of petals and shortened flower vase life, in addition to causing chlorosis of leaves.

Effect of Chemical Treatments on Vase Life of Ferns.

Effects of sucrose as well as certain biocides on the vase life of fronds of three types of ferns viz. Blechnum gibbum, Nephrolepis exaltata (Bostoniensis) and Nephrolepis exaltata (Golden Boston) were investigated. Fronds of Nephrolepis exaltata (Bostoniensis) had the maximum average vase life (18.68 days), followed by Nephrolepis exaltata (Golden Boston) (11.59 days) and Blechnum gibbum (1.24 days). Chemical treatments did not improve vase life of Blechnum gibbum. In Nephrolepis exaltata (Golden Boston) A12(S04)3.16H20 (300 ppm), NaOCl (50 ppm chlorine) or AgN03 (25 ppm in vase solution and 1000 ppm as pretreatment for 10 min) alone were not effective but when combined with sucrose (1.5%), they significantly improved vase life of fronds. In Nephrolepis exaitata (Bostoniensis), the most effective treatments, in order of their efficacy, were AgN03 (1000 ppm as pretreatment for 10 min) alone and in combination with sucrose (1.5%).

Effect of Farm Yard Manure and Nitrogen on Growth and Frond Production in Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata (L.) Schott)

The present study reports the effect of application of three levels of farm yard manure (0, 25 and 50 t/ha/yr) in combination with four levels of nitrogen (0, 125, 250 and 375 kg/ha/yr) on growth and frond production in Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) under 75% shade during the years 2012–13 and 2013–14. N was applied in four equal splits, i.e., one-fourth at planting and remaining at quarterly intervals in June, September and December. The growth parameters viz. plant height, spread, growth index, lamina length, fresh and dry weight of fronds were not significantly affected by FYM and N alone though frond production was improvedsignificantly. Application of N at 250 and 375 kg/ha/yr significantly increased frond production in comparison to the control. Application of FYM at 25 t/ha/yr also significantly improved the frond yield. There was significant enhancement in all the growth parameters with integrated use of FYM and N. The maximum frond production was obtained with the combined application of FYM at 50 t/ha/yr and with N at 250 kg/ha/yr.

Effect of shade levels on growth and frond production in boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata (L.) Schott)

Plants of Nephrolepis exaltata (L.) schott cv. BOSTONIENSIS were grown under three different shade levels i.e. under open field conditions as well as under 50 per cent and 75 per cent shade. Basal dose of 25 tones of FYM/ha was given at the time of planting, whereas, nitrogen was applied at 250 kg/ha in four equal splits at quarterly intervals. Under open field conditions, growth of the plants was severely affected during both the extremes. The best growth was obtained under 75 per cent shade and the plants exhibited most vigorous growth and produced the highest numbers of fronds during both the growing years. Under 50 per cent shade, average frond length and mean lamina length were higher than the other two treatments. This however, was compensated for by higher number of fronds produced under 75 per cent shade.