Department of Floriculture and Landscaping

Microclimate of green houses is important for better plant growth and greater yield. The dynamic behavior of the greenhouse microclimate is a combination of physical processes involving energy transfer and mass balance. The greenhouse microclimate can be manipulated by control actions, such as heating, ventilation, carbon dioxide enrichment to provide appropriate environmental conditions for crops. These modifications imply the additional use of energy in the production process. Because of its complexity, excessive climatic conditions in greenhouses can adversely affect the growing environment for crops. An optimal ambient control is needed to accomplish complicated processes involved in greenhouse energy balancing, including low emissions and reduced production costs. In this paper the information available on microclimate parameters involved in greenhouse, methods to control them and their impact on the crops grown in the structure are presented. Greenhouse, Microclimate, Climate control, Greenhouse heating.

Drip irrigation is most suitable for row crops (vegetables, soft fruit), tree and vine crops where one or more emitters can be provided for each plant. Generally only high value crops are considered because of the high capital costs of installing a drip system. Drip irrigation is suitable for all soils. On clay soils water must be applied slowly to avoid surface water ponding and runoff. On sandy soils higher emitter discharge rates will be needed to ensure adequate lateral wetting of the soil. Drip irrigation and fertigation favors crop growth and yield of many fruit and vegetable crops.

Fifteen spray Chrysanthemum cultivars were grown under polyhouse and open field condition during winter seasons of 2004-2005 to estimate anthocyanin in flower tepals of the cultivars. The anthocyanin was estimated (mg/100g of tepals) from freshly harvested flower tepals that were collected at 5 days interval from flower opening to flower colour fading stage. The results indicated that the anthocyanin content of flower tissues of spray chrysanthemum cultivars was non-significantly more in polyhouse condition as compared to open field, whereas those cultivars which produced mostly whitish coloured flower, viz. 'Sarad Mala', 'White Anemone', 'Kelvin Brisk' and 'Lokenath' showed more anthocyanin in open field. The cultivars 'Tata Red', 'Red Gold', 'Arati', 'Apsara Violet' and 'Jaya' has been screened out as high anthocyanin content cultivars and these may be used to exploit for extraction of anthocyanin as organic colour of plant origin.

Key message Variability in traits of 15, diverse 6-yearold candidate plus trees of Jatropha curcas was determined to identify the best gain heritable traits correlating with oil yield for Jatropha improvement. Abstract Study was carried out on 15 6-year-old candidate plus trees of Jatropha curcas adapted on semi-arid wasteland with an objective to assess variation in morphological, physiological and oil quality characters. Heritable and non-heritable components of the total variability of the characters were determined by genotypic (GCV) and phenotypic (PCV) coefficient of variation, heritability and genetic advance (GA) and the best gain traits for Jatropha improvement through selection and breeding were assessed. Further, association among the traits were assessed and germplasm were separated into different clusters. Significant variation was found among the different genotypes for all the characters. The photosynthetic and transpiration rate correlated with oil content, seed and oil yield. The chlorophyll pigments correlated positively with the photosynthetic rate and oil content. The seed oil content varied considerably from 27.68 % (JCN01) to 37.49 % (JCN14) and had high heritability, but it had low PCV and GCV and moderate GA. The oil yield plant-1 had high genetic variability and varied significantly from 0.07 (JCN15) to 0.47 kg plant-1 (JCN09/IC 565733). Though the different fatty acids differed significantly with different germplasm and also had high heritability, they had low PCV, GCV and GA. Seed weight, fruit weight, seed weight fruit-1 and seed yield plant-1 strongly correlated with oil yield and had moderate to high GCV, PCV, coupled with high heritability and GA. Germplasm were separated into four distinct clusters with a maximum inter distance found between cluster II and IV, and minimum between cluster I and III. The study helped to identify the superior germplasm among diverse genotypes of J. curcas that can serve as parents with desirable characters like high oil yield, low stomatal conductance and high water use efficiency for further breeding purposes. Keywords Jatropha curcas Á Genetic variability Á Correlation Á Cluster analysis Á Wasteland Á Oil yield Abbreviations BSD Basal stem diameter NPB Number of primary branches DPB Diameter of primary branches NSB Number of secondary branches DSB Diameter of secondary branches PH Plant height VPC Volume of plant canopy M:F Male-to-female flower ratio FL Fruit length Communicated by U. Luettge.

The short vase life of Acacia holosericea cut stems needs to be improved before they are marketable as cut foliage for floral arrangement. The effects of citric acid, Cu 2+ and sucrose were investigated for their efficacy in postharvest treatments to extend vase life of the cut stems. Five experiments were conducted involved combinations of citric acid either with Cu 2+ or sucrose. Vase life, relative fresh weight (RFW), and vase solution uptake were measured as indicators of cut stem quality. The effect of Cu 2+ alone was shown to be consistently superior in improving vase life by up to 1.9-fold as compared with deionised water control. Citric acid had a smaller effect than Cu 2+ and did not act synergistically with Cu 2+. Sucrose on its own or in combination with citric acid did not improve vase life significantly; instead sucrose promoted early wilting or desiccation of the cut foliage.

At present dry flower business is fastest growing industry in India. Diverse and exotic blooms were available in nature, which can be converted in handsome value added products using simple drying techniques. Press drying is a method used to preserve the plants to use on pictures, place cards, stationery etc. Experiment was undertaken with an objective to standardize the different press drying techniques on dehydration of some ornamental foliage. Experiment was laid out in CRD with five replications and eight treatments. Treatments were set based on trial-and-error method for all the foliage. 10 different foliages were used for experiment purpose. From the results of above study, it can be concluded that wooden press found best suitable technique for press drying of Thuja orentalis foliage. Iron press found excellent technique for Ficus religiousa and Caryota mitis leaves. Tiles pressed in microwave oven (720 micro powers) for 2 min found finest technique for Aralia balfouriana, 3 min found appropriate for Lantana camara, Wedelia trilobata, Alstonia scholaris and Polyalthia longifolia leaves and 4 min found ideal for Nephrolepis exaltata and Araucaria excelsa leaves.

Among the various agrotechniques, optimum nutrient management is one of the most important factors, which affect the growth and overall accumulation of active ingredients in the different organs of the plants as the capacity to produce dry matter per unit area is dependent on nutrient management. Two years field experiment was carried in winter season during 2000-2002 at Horticulture Research Farm, BCKV, Kalyani, Nadia (West Bengal) on clay loam soil taking 27 treatment combinations comprised of three levels (0,10, 20g/m) of each of N, P 2 O 5 and K 2 O under 3 replications to work out the optimum nutrient management for obtaining higher hydroalcoholic extract (HAE) from different parts of Calendula. The highest amount of HAE was noticed in the flower followed by leaf, shoot and to a lesser extent in root. The treatment combination of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in the ratio of 20:10:20 g/m was observed to provide optimum nutrition for maximum productivity of flower as well a...

Fifteen cultivars of spray chrysanthemum were evaluated in polyhouse and open-field, with three planting dates from mid-July to mid-August during 2003-05. Overall plant growth, flower stem length, number of flowers per plant, shelf life and vase life of flower were found to be maximum under 15 th July planting compared to 30 th July and 15 th August plantings both under polyhouse and open-field conditions. Flower size and flower yield (g/plant) was highest under 30 th July planting in polyhouse condition, whereas, in open-field it was the 15 th July planting. Early flowering was recorded in 15 th August planting both in polyhouse and open-field. Cultivar Arati showed maximum flower stem length and flower yield. Some of the other cultivars, viz., Yellow Anemone, Sarad Mala, Apsara Violet and Aditi also exhibited high yield both under polyhouse and open-field conditions. Polyhouse always recorded higher yield than open-field. Cultivar Yellow Anemone planted on 15 th July recorded high...

An investigation on in vitro plant regeneration of endangered medicinal plant Rauvolfia serpentina L. was carried out. The newly emerging leaves were used as explants, which were transferred to half strength MS medium along with various combinations of growth regulators for callus regeneration. The half strength MS medium fortified with 5.0 mgl-1 2,4-D and 2.0 mgl-1 NAA was found most suitable for qualitative (light green colour) and quantitative callus production (86%). The shoot regeneration (81.67 %) and elongation (5.67 cm) was highest in full MS medium supplemented with 6.0 mgl-1 BAP and 2.0 mgl- 1 GA3 and consequently, the root initiation was highest (55%) in half strength MS medium containing 3.0 mgl-1 IBA. The regenerated plantlets were preserved for nine months in good condition through repeated subculturing on full strength MS media. The callus were kept in storage by repeated sub-culturing in in vitro condition on MS medium fortified with 0.2 mgl-1 2,4-D and the preservat...

The use of green house grown gerbera explants for the production of contamination free in vitro plantlets is a major challenge due to presence of surface hairy growth at the emerging stage of flower bud and leaf. In the present experiment different sterilizing agents with different concentration and time were used to treat the excised flower bud and emerging leaf of gerbera. About 66% of flower buds explants remained free of contamination and of which 30% retained callus while the survival percentage was 50% in case of leaf explants sowing no sign of callus after 28 days of inoculation when cultured in MS media, each with different hormonal combination. Therefore, in the present work different sterilization treatment and explants excised techniques were tried to increase in the percentage of successfully established proliferating cultures.

An efficient and improved protocol for in vitro seed germination and seedling development technique of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal have been developed. Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 3.0 mg l-1 gibberellic acid (GA3) and 3.0 mg l-1 Kinetin (Kn) was found effective for maximum germination percentage (92.67), germination rate (1.83), germination value (56.07) and seedling vigour index (875.73). Whereas minimum days required for germination (8.30), maximum germination speed (6.15), shoot length (7.72 cm), weight of shoot (4.48 g), weight of root (1.83 g), fresh weight of seedlings (5.91 g), dry weight of seedlings (0.78 g), number of leaves per plantlet (5.57) and plant height (8.79 cm) was recorded in MS medium containing 5.0 mg l-1 GA3 and 5.0 mg l-1 Kn. The present protocol clearly describes that W. somnifera (L.) Dunal seeds should be germinated first in MS medium containing 3.0 mg l-1 GA3 and 3.0 mg l-1 Kn and after that the completely germinated seeds should be subc...

An investigation was undertaken to study the yield and yield components of spray-type chrysanthemum cv. Amal under variaous sources of nitrogen. The treatments considered different levels (100%, 75%, 50% or 25%) of four sources of nitrogen viz., urea, calcium ammonium nitrate, mustard cake and neem cake, alone or in combination of two or more of these. Results revealed that maximum stem length (62 cm) of cut flower and flower yield, number of flower heads (6387) and weight (4071.48 g/sqm) were mostly achiveved by application of total recommended dose of nitrogen through a combination of 25% N as neem cake + 25% N as mustard cake + 25% N as CAN + 25% as urea, and the treatment increased flower yield by 57.96% over treatment with nitrogen solely through urea. Flower size, individual flower weight, shelf and vase life of flower as well as anthocyanin content in floral tissue were higher in combined application of all oil cakes and urea and maximum under treatment combination of 50% rec...

Degradation tests were carried out to determine the luminous intensity influence on textile industry effluent photodegradation. TiO 2 , Nb 2 O 5 , Nb 2 O 5-TiO 2 and Nb 2 O 5 /TiO 2 were used as photocatalysts. FTIR (Fourrier Transform Infrared) and TPR (Temperature Program Reduction) results showed interaction between different forms of the oxides in the Nb 2 O 5-TiO 2 and Nb 2 O 5 /TiO 2 catalysts and the forming of a new phase in Nb 2 O 5-TiO 2. The reaction rate was significantly influenced by the luminous intensity. Luminous intensity decrease caused decolourisation increase and COD reduction decrease, suggesting that the concentration of the hydroxyl groups, which are responsible for the chromophores groups degradation, is proportional to the luminous intensity.

An experiment was undertaken to develop an improved in vitro regeneration protocol in gerbera. Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium was supplemented with various growth regulators at different concentrations for callus induction and organogenesis. Newly emerging leaves of Gerbera cv. Rosalin were used as explants. Experimental results showed that maximum rate (74.07%) of formation of callus with good growth was recorded on MS medium supplemented with 2.0mgL -1 2,4-D + BAP 0.5mgL -1 . Best shoot regeneration (57.8 %) with maximum shoot number (12.0) was achieved on with BAP 2.0mgL -1 + NAA 0.5mgL -1 fortified MS medium. Maximum (66.7 %) and earliest (12.3 days) root formation in shoots was recorded on IBA 3.0mgL -1 is 1/ 2 MS media. Survival rate of regenerated plantlets was maximum (73.33 %) in the potting mixture containing garden soil, sand and vermicompost (1:1:1).

Dry flowers beauty and value can be reserved and enjoyed for years. A study was undertaken with an objective to standardize microwave oven drying technology for dehydration of ornamental foliages. It can be concluded that embedding in silica gel and microwave oven drying (720 micro power i.e. medium high) for 2 min found suitable technique for dehydration of ornamental leaves viz., Mussaenda erythrophylla, Lantana camara leaves, 2.5 min found appropriate for Tagetes spp. leaves, 3 min found ideal for Bauhinia variegata, Azadirachta indica leaves and Thuja orentalis foliage, 3.5 min found suitable for Aralia balfouriana leaves, 4 min found ideal for Ficus religious and Schefflera arboricola leaves. Embedding in sand and microwave oven drying for 4.5 min found appropriate for dehydration of Ficus benjamina leaves.

The seed setting, combining ability and heterobeltiosis analysis was carried out in gladiolus (Gladiolus grandiflorus L.) based on 5 × 5 full diallel mating for different traits utilizing five genotypes, viz. ACC-15, ACC-13, ACC-11, ACC-14 and ACC-04 for the experiment. Experimental results revealed that days required for maturity of capsules, harvest percentage of capsule, number of seeds per capsule, hundred seeds weight and seed germination percentage were varied significantly among the crosses. The maximum harvestable capsules was recorded in ACC-13 × ACC- 14 and its reciprocal cross while maximum number of seeds per capsule was found in the cross ACC-15 × ACC-13. The genotypes, viz. ACC-15, ACC-11 and ACC-14 were good general combiners for most characters for many traits. ACC-04 × ACC-14 had the highest SCA effects for diameter of cormel and can be used in both yield and quality improvement. Though, most of crosses showed a negative mid-parent and high-parent heterosis, hybrids...

The regeneration of plants through formation of protocorm and protocorm-like bodies was achieved by in vitro asymbiotic immature seed culture of Calanthe odora. This is the first report on in vitro regeneration of plantlets of Calanthe odora Griff., the IUCN red listed threatened species. The immature seeds as explants were most regenerative than mature seeds. The MS media fortified with different concentrations of Kinetin alone or in combination with NAA were tested to sort out as the best regeneration media. From the experimental results the best medium was sorted as MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg/l Kinetin and 1.0 mg/l NAA for germination and formation of protocorm-like bodies from immature seed explants followed by transfer to MS media fortified with 1.5 mg/l Kinetin and 1.0 mg/l NAA for development of protocorm to plantlets. The plantlets after hardening in in vitro were transferred to polyhouse where 86.7% survival rate was recorded on vermiculite potting media.