Ranjan Srivastava

Post-Harvest Life of Cut Chrysanthemum Cultivars in Relation to Chemicals, Wrapping Material and Storage Conditions

A study was conducted to examine the efficacy of chemicals, wrapping material and storage conditions on postharvest life of chrysanthemum cultivars Snowball Yellow and Snowball White. Vase life and flower quality were significantly influenced by chemicals, wrapping material and storage conditions. Minimum weight loss of spikes, maximum total water absorbed, flower diameter and vase life were obtained in treatment T2 (4% sucrose) as compared to control (Tap water). Significant effect of wrapping material and storage condition were also observed on per cent weight loss, total water absorbed maximum flower diameter and vase life in both the cultivars. Wrapping of spikes in PP 200 gauge with refrigerated storage at 3-4°C for 3 days + 6 hours of simulated transit (T₃Sâ‚‚) resulted in minimum percent weight loss, maximum total water absorbed, flower diameter and maximum vase life in both the cultivars.

Assessment of Growing Media on Vegetative, Flowering and Vase Life Characteristics of Lilium (Lilium longiflorum) cvs. Bach and Pavia in the Foothills of Himalayas

The experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of different growing media on vegetative, flowering and vase life characteristics of two LA lily hybrids Bach and Pavia in 2 factorial randomized block design with three replications. Of the two factors, first factor was two varieties namely, Bach and Pavia and the second factor was five growing media including (1) garden soil, (2) cocopeat, (3) cocopeat + sand (1:1) and (4) garden soil + sand (1:1). However, bulbs of LA lily hybrids were planted in plastic crates containing different growing media with 10 bulbs in each crate, placed inside 50 percent shadenet house. Final plant height (116.63 cm.) and number of flower buds (7.27) was highest in cv. Pavia at 60 days after planting. However, quickest flower bud appearance (29.53days) and maximum vase life (11.26 days) was in cv. Bach. Among the potting media, cocopeat found to be superior for enhancing all characteristics along with both the cultivars.

Effect of substrates on lilium (Lilium longiflorum L.) programming in container system

Substrate plays an important role for the success of ornamental crop production in container system. An experiment was carried out to examine the effect of substrates on lilium (Lilium longiflorum L.) programming in container system at Model Floriculture Centre, GBPUA&T, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand during 2014–15. The experiment was laid out in completely randomized design. The effect of the substrates on flowering and bulbous attributes was investigated. Cocopeat (T2) substrate demonstrated significant effects on flowering attributes like plant height (108.66 cm), stem diameter (8.77 mm), No. of flower buds (7.26), flower bud length (10.46 cm), flower bud diameter (31.52 mm), flower diameter (14.29 cm) and vase-life (10.73 days). However, number of days to bud appearance (35.40) and number of days to first flower opening (66.53) were maximum with soil substrate (T1). Among bulbous characteristics bulb diameter (52.07 mm), bulb weight (56.24 g), number of bulblets (3.46), stem roots (15.26 cm) and basal roots length (25.12 cm) were found maximum with cocopeat substrate. Among the potting media, 100% cocopeat (T2) showed overall positive influence on growth, flowering and bulbous attributes as compared to control (T1), hence, recommended for lilium cultivation in container system.