To develop production protocols for cut foliage like Dracaena reflexa, Philodendron xanadu, Melaleuca bracteata and Rumohra adiantiformis for improving productivity, quality and post harvest life of the produce
Date of start of this programme:
June 2009
Dr. Sujatha A.Nair
Dr. Sangama
Dr. H.B.Raghupathy
Dr. Paneerselvam
Evaluation of varying light intensities and seasonal variations on crop growth, cut foliage production and quality
Dracaena reflexa var. Variegata, Dracaena reflexa var. Green, Melaleuca bracteata and Philodendron ‘Xanadu’ were evaluated under three shade levels of 25, 50 and 75% for cut foliage production. Seasonal influences on yield and quality were also observed.
In Dracaena reflexa var. Variegata, Dracaena reflexa var. Green and Philodendron xanadu 75% shade (light intensity in the range of 13,000 to 20,000 lux ) resulted in higher cut foliage production and quality. Winter months (November to February) was more favourable for production of better quality cut foliage. In Melaleuca bracteata 25% shade level (light intensity in the range of 21,000 to 35,000 lux) resulted in the maximum production of cut foliage during summer months (March-June).
Influence of substrates and nutrient levels on production and quality of Leather Leaf Ferns
In Leather leaf fern ( Rumohra adiantiformis) combination of Coco peat + Sand +Vermicompost (1:1:1 v/v) + 0.1% IIHR biofertilizers consortium as the substrate along with application of the nutrient dose of 100:30:60 kg NPK/ ha/year in six splits at bimonthly intervals (full P as one time application and N and K as splits) resulted in the maximum number of marketable leaves/plant/year, length of lamina, length of stipe, length of frond and width of frond and the maximum B: C ratio. Chemical analysis of this substrate revealed near neutral pH (7.03), optimum organic carbon content ,available N, high levels of available P and K and high levels of Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu. The population of Bacillus sp, Pseudomonas sp and Azotobacter sp were found higher in the cocopeat based substrate combinations as compared to the soil based substrates.
Publication
- Sujatha A. Nair, T. Usha Bharathi and Sangama .2013. Influence of shade levels in relation to seasonal variations on cut foliage production and quality in Philodendron ‘Xanadu’. (In) Souvenir and Abstracts,National Seminar on Advances in Protected Cultivation . Eds. Singh,B., Sabir, N., Singh,B., Dwivedi, S.K., Sindhu,S.S., Kumar, R., Hasan, M., Tomar,B.S. and Singh,A.K. organised by Indian Society for Protected Cultivation, 21 March at New Delhi.pp:61.