The Asian Journal of Horticulture

S. Ganesh ¹, K. Soorianathasundaram ¹, M. Kannan ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Floriculture and Landscaping, Horticultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore T.N., IN
2 Department of Fruit Crops, Horticultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore T.N., IN

Abstract

Field experiment was conducted during May 2009 to April 2010 in tuberose cv. Prajwal to study the growth and yield as influenced by plant growth regulators and micronutrients in Factorial Randomized Block Design. The treatment comprised of dipping the bulbs in two growth regulators namely, GA3 @ 200 ppm for 12 h, CCC @ 5000 ppm for 1 h were given at planting and foliar spray of micronutrients namely, H3BO3 0.1 %, ZnSO4 0.5 % and FeSO4 0.2 % were applied either alone or in combinations on 60, 120, 180 and 240 days after sprouting. Observations were recorded on sprouting, growth, flowering and yield parameters. The results revealed that dipping of bulbs in GA3 @ 200 ppm for 12 hours recorded 100 per cent sprouting and early sprouting by 5 days over control (12.75 days). Dipping the bulbs in GA3 @ 200 ppm and foliar spray of all the micronutrients (B, Zn and Fe) recorded highest plant height (49.56 cm) at first spike emergence, total leaf area per clump (2317.20 cm2), spike length (100.59 cm), number of flowers per spike (45.74), improved flower length (7.24 cm), enhanced flower yield per hectare (16.24 t) and highest estimated net income of Rs. 6,44,444 per hectare. The dipping treatments with CCC@ 5000 ppm for 1 h significantly increased the number of leaves at first spike emergence (25.29), diameter of unopened flower bud (3.78 cm) and extended duration of flowering (21.38 days). The increase in yield is resulted by the assimilatory power of growth regulators and contributory role of all the micronutrients involved. Economic analysis also revealed that micronutrient sprays at 60, 120, 180 and 240 days after sprouting could be beneficial when dipping of bulbs in GA3 @ 200 ppm for 12 h and this will be quite profitable to the farmers cultivating in the marginal soils.

Keywords

Tuberose, Gibberellic Acid, Cycocel, Boric Acid, Zinc Sulphate, Ferrous Sulphate

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K. Vanilarasu ¹, G. Balakrishnamurthy ¹, K. Soorianathasundaram ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Fruits Crops,Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore (T.N.), IN

Abstract

Of late growing awareness on health and environmental issues associated with the intensive use of chemical inputs has led to interest in alternate forms of agriculture in India as well as in the world. An investigation was carried out during 2010-2011, to study the effect of organic manures, organic amendments and green manures in comparison with inorganic fertilizers on growth, development, yield and yield of banana cv. GRAND NAINE. The treatment T₁₀ with the combined application of organic manures, amendments and green manures (Farmyard manure @ 10 kg + Neem cake @ 1.25 kg + Vermicompost @ 5 kg and Wood ash @ 1.75 kg /plant + triple green manuring with sunhemp + Double intercropping of Cowpea + biofertilizers viz., Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhizae @ 25 g, Azospirillum @ 50 g, PhosphateSolubilizing Bacteria@ 50 g and Trichoderma harzianum @ 50 g/plant) registered the maximum growth (Pseudostem height and girth - 218 and 69.53 cm, number of leaves - 14.56 and leaf area index - 3.79) and yield (bunch weight - 27.96 kg, finger length and girth - 23.56 and 15.12 cm, finger weight -280.25 g, pulp and peel weight - 194.13 and 65.27 g) characters under drip irrigation.

Keywords

Organic Manures, Amendments, Growth, Yield.

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