Bud Initiation Research Articles

Effect of Nutrient Management During the Nursery Period on the Growth, Tissue Nutrient Content, and Flowering Characteristics of Hydroponic Strawberry in 2022

The objective of a strawberry nursery is to produce numerous runners and improve the quality of the runner plants, ensuring their uniformity and health. About 80% of the strawberry nurseries in Wanju-gun, Republic of Korea, are cultivated by the growers themselves, which results in variations in the cultivation techniques. Different methods are employed to reduce the nitrogen levels to promote floral bud initiation in the later nursery stage, and these methods vary between farms. This study was conducted on the ‘Sulhyang’ cultivar (Fragaria × ananassa Dutch. cv. Sulhyang) to measure the nutrient content in runner plants obtained from eight growers using various cultivation methods, supply EC levels, nutrient solution termination times, etc., and to correlate the nutrient levels with floral bud initiation during the nursery period. Four investigations were conducted at 15-day intervals from Julian day 214 (2 August) to Julian day 259 (16 September) in 2022, focusing on nutrient management during the nursery period, runner plant growth, petiole nitrate nitrogen content (NO3-N), and soluble solid content (SSC). The NO3-N content decreased, and the SSC/NO3-N ratio increased near the transplanting period, as assessed using a rapid inorganic nutrient diagnostic device. The proportion of runner plants that had advanced to stage 3 or above in floral bud initiation was investigated using a stereomicroscope. As a result, differences in the percentage of floral bud initiation were confirmed based on the varying nutrient management among the farms. In this study, on Julian day 243 (31 August 2022), there was a strong negative correlation (r = −0.86, r2 = 0.73) between the NO3-N content in the runner plants and the percentage of floral bud initiation. These results emphasize the importance of nutrient management during the nursery period, especially for strawberry self-propagating growers, and demonstrate a strong correlation between nutrient content and floral bud initiation in strawberries.

Bioenergy sorghum nodal root bud development: morphometric, transcriptomic and gene regulatory network analysis.

Bioenergy sorghum's large and deep nodal root system and associated microbiome enables uptake of water and nutrients from and deposition of soil organic carbon into soil profiles, key contributors to the crop's resilience and sustainability. The goal of this study was to increase our understanding of bioenergy sorghum nodal root bud development. Sorghum nodal root bud initiation was first observed on the stem node of the 7th phytomer below the shoot apex. Buds were initiated near the upper end of the stem node pulvinus on the side of the stem opposite the tiller bud, then additional buds were added over the next 6-8 days forming a ring of 10-15 nascent nodal root buds around the stem. Later in plant development, a second ring of nodal root buds began forming on the 17th stem node immediately above the first ring of buds. Overall, nodal root bud development can take ~40 days from initiation to onset of nodal root outgrowth. Nodal root buds were initiated in close association with vascular bundles in the rind of the pulvinus. Stem tissue forming nascent nodal root buds expressed sorghum homologs of genes associated with root initiation (WOX4), auxin transport (LAX2, PIN4), meristem activation (NGAL2), and genes involved in cell proliferation. Expression of WOX11 and WOX5, genes involved in root stem niche formation, increased early in nodal root bud development followed by genes encoding PLTs, LBDs (LBD29), LRP1, SMB, RGF1 and root cap LEAs later in development. A nodal root bud gene regulatory network module expressed during nodal root bud initiation predicted connections linking PFA5, SPL9 and WOX4 to genes involved in hormone signaling, meristem activation, and cell proliferation. A network module expressed later in development predicted connections among SOMBRERO, a gene involved in root cap formation, and GATA19, BBM, LBD29 and RITF1/RGF1 signaling. Overall, this study provides a detailed description of bioenergy sorghum nodal root bud development and transcriptome information useful for understanding the regulation of sorghum nodal root bud formation and development.

Impact of Zinc Application on Growth, Yield, and Quality of African Marigold in Semi-Arid Conditions

Marigold is a widely cultivated, hardy flower crop known for its adaptability. Among the various intercultural practices in marigold cultivation, foliar application of zinc plays a critical role in enhancing yield and quality, however, standardization of this practice is necessary to optimize commercial production. Hence, the investigation aimed to standardize foliar zinc application for improving productivity in African marigold (Pusa Narangi Gainda) at Rajasthan Agricultural Research Institute, Jaipur, during 2020-21, and 2021-22. Two concentrations of zinc sulphate (ZnSO₄), Z1 (0.2%), and Z2 (0.5%), were applied at 35 and 65 days after transplanting (DAT) in a factorial randomized block design with three replications. Results indicated that Z1 (ZnSO₄ 0.2%) was most effective in increasing plant height, and promoting early bud initiation, and flower opening, while Z2 (ZnSO₄ 0.5%) significantly enhanced plant spread, primary branching, leaf dimensions, plant biomass, root-to-shoot ratio, flower diameter, and yield parameters such as flower mass and number. Z2 also improved quality traits like chlorophyll and xanthophyll content. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences among treatments, suggesting that the application of ZnSO₄ at 0.5% may be recommended for optimizing growth, yield, and quality in commercial marigold cultivation, thereby enhancing productivity and profitability.

Copper mitigates salinity stress by regulating water status, photosynthetic pigments and ion homeostasis and increases the yield of Eggplant (Solanum melongena)

Eggplant (Solanum melongena) is moderately sensitive to salinity. Seed priming and exogenous supplementation are technique that enhances germination, growth, and crop yield by overcoming salt stress. Therefore, this study was designed to understand the role of seed priming and copper (Cu) supplementation in modulating salt tolerance in eggplant. When exposed to salt stress, eggplant seedlings showed significantly higher Na+ content, an increased Na/K ratio, prolonged mean germination time, higher relative water loss, more days to flower bud initiation and first flowering, along with decreased germination rate, growth factors, water content, photosynthetic pigments, ionic contents (K+, Ca2+, Mg2+), and yield. The results demonstrated that the germination rate, final germination percentage, germination index, germination energy, and seed vigor index significantly improved, while the mean germination time decreased in Cu-primed seeds. The results also revealed that Cu supplementations increased seedling traits, leaf water content, photosynthetic pigment contents, ionic contents (K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+), and yield while decreasing the contents of Na+, and Na/K ratio, mean germination time, relative water loss, days to flower bud initiation, and days to 1st flowering under salt stress. Germination of seeds, seedlings growth traits, plant water status, plant pigments, yield, and ionic contents with the NaCl and Cu treatments were found to substantially interact with each other according to both hierarchical clustering and PCA. Overall, Cu seed priming and exogenous supplementation emerged as a promising strategy to enhance salt tolerance and promote germination, growth, and yield by regulating water status, photosynthetic pigments, and ion homeostasis in eggplant seedlings under NaCl stress. These findings provide valuable insights into the mechanisms of Cu-mediated stress alleviation in eggplant, with implications for sustainable crop production in saline environments.

Effect of Pinching on Growth, Yield, and Quality of African Marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) cv. Pusa Narangi Gainda

Marigold is a very common and a hardy flower crop cultivated throughout the world. Pinching is an important intercultural practice commonly followed in cultivation of marigold however, this needs to be standardized for getting higher yields in commercial cultivation. Hence, the present investigation was conducted at Rajasthan Agricultural Research Institute, Durgapura, Jaipur, Division of Horticulture, during 2020-21 and 2021-22 to standardize the commercial pinching practice for getting higher productivity. Three levels of pinching (no pinching, single at 20 days and double at 20 and 40 days after transplanting) were used in the course of the research arranged using a factorial randomized block layout with three replications applied to African marigold variety Pusa Narangi Gainda. The results revealed that treatment P0 (No pinching) was discovered to be the finest in increment in height of plant, early flower bud initiation flower opening and treatment P2 (Double pinching) in boosting spread of plant, primary branches, length of leaf, leaf width, leaf area, plant fresh weight, plant dry weight, total biomass, root- shoot ratio, 50% flowering, flower diameter, stalk and ray floret length, fresh and dry flower weight, mass and number of flower per plant, flower yield additionally improved quality characteristics like chlorophyll and xanthophyll content in marigold. Hence, it might be concluded that application of double pinching can be helpful and recommended in improving yield as well as quality characteristics in commercial cultivation of marigold.

Nutrition for commercial flower production of Longiflorum asiatica (LA) hybrid under northern plains

The study was conducted during the winter seasons, comprising the various combinations of inorganic fertilizers (N, P2O5, and K2O) and organic manure (FYM). Treatment T24 [(25 t FYM+160 kg N+120 kg P2O5+100 kg K2O)/ha] emerged as the statistically significant treatment, outperforming others in respect of tallest plant (122.43 cm), leaf count per plant (79.33), leaf length (7.90 cm), and early flower bud initiation (28.01 days), bud initiation to colour shown (47.11 days), and colour shown to flower opening (6.10 days). This treatment also tended to show the longest flower retention on plant (15.30 days), number of flower buds per plant (4.20), bud length (8.96 cm), stalk length (110.10 cm), stalk diameter (0.96 cm), flower diameter (22.98 cm), total chlorophyll content (6.50 mg/g), leaf nitrogen (4.70%), potassium (4.10%), and net assimilation ratio (NAR) (0.0065 mg/cm2/ day). Treatment T23 [(25 t FYM+120 kg N+90 kg P2O5+75 kg K2O)/ha] proved next best treatment. The lowest value was recorded in T25 (Control). Overall, treatment T24 proved to be the most effective treatment statistically for the commercial flower production of LA hybrid lilium for northern Indian plains.

Natural Occurrence, Morpho‐Molecular Characteristics, and Pathogenicity of Fusarium spp. Associated With Chrysanthemum Wilt in Vietnam

ABSTRACTChrysanthemum Fusarium wilt (CFW) is a devastating soil‐borne disease affecting the cut chrysanthemum industry globally. In Vietnam, this disease has been occurring silently and is posing a risk of epidemic outbreaks in the southern provinces, especially Lam Dong. Results from a survey in 2023 showed that stunted growth, curved and small stems, dried‐rot roots, leaf drooping and green or yellow wilting of plants after transplanting or at their flower bud initiation were common symptoms observed across the main chrysanthemum‐growing farms in Lam Dong. The occurrence of CFW was recorded in relation with the host cultivar, irrigation method and fungicide‐spraying regime. Among the cultivars grown in Lam Dong, ‘Doa cu’ was the most susceptible to CFW. The use of sprinkler irrigation and infrequent application of fungicides were attributed to increase both disease incidence and severity. Thirty fungal isolates obtained from diseased plants were identified as Fusarium oxysporum and F. falciforme based on morphological features and molecular analysis of ITS and TEF‐1α genes. The detection frequency of these two species was almost equal, which shows their balanced role in the occurrence of CFW in Lam Dong. In‐planta pathogenicity assays of Fusarium isolates against plantlets grown from cuttings and invitro propagation showed a variation in pathogenicity and a specialisation of isolates for these planting materials. These results suggest that the profiles of population and aggressiveness of Fusarium isolates diverged with the type of planting material, and between the stock and the commercial farms.

Effects of environmental conditions for inducing flower bud initiation on plant growth and flowering of June-bearing strawberry grown under LED lighting

Effects of environmental conditions for inducing flower bud initiation on plant growth and flowering of June-bearing strawberry grown under LED lighting

Evaluation of mulch types on weed management, soil moisture conservation and crop performance in Gladiolus hybridus cv. Punjab Glance

This study evaluated the effects of various mulch types on weed management, soil moisture conservation, and crop performance in Gladiolus hybridus cv. Punjab Glance at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. The experiment tested different coloured polythene mulches—black (25µ), silver on black (25µ), transparent (25µ), and white (50µ)—as well as paddy straw mulch at the rate of 10, 15, and 20 tonnes/ha, and pendimethalin (0.5 kg/ha). Results demonstrated that transparent and white polythene mulches promoted earlier sprouting, bud initiation, and flowering. Black polythene mulch yielded the tallest plants (90.30 cm) and longest spikes (75.31 cm), while white polythene (50µ) mulch produced the most florets per spike (12.39) and extended the flowering duration (15.60 days). Hand-weeding achieved the highest weed control efficiency (100%), closely followed by black polythene mulch (99.87%). Paddy straw mulch (1 t/ha) was the most effective for soil moisture conservation, with polythene mulches also performing well. Transparent (25µ) and white (50µ) polythene mulches recorded the highest average soil temperatures during the study.

Effect of Liquid Organic Inputs on Growth, Flowering and Yield of Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat.) and Soil Properties

This experiment was carried out to investigate the Effect of Liquid Organic Inputs on Growth, Flowering and Yield of Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat.) and Soil Properties. The experiment was carried out during 2022-23 and laid out in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with fourteen treatments including different combinations of concentrations, methods, and intervals of application of Jeevamrut and Panchagavya and control (only recommended dose of FYM 15 t/ha). Among the treatments, maximum growth and vegetative attributes viz., plant height at 60, 75, 90, 105 and 120 days after transplanting (29.47 cm, 42.33 cm, 50.83 cm, 54.80 cm and 56.53 cm, respectively), number of branches at full bloom stage (8.27) and average plant spread (27.22 cm) was recorded with 500 l/ha Jeevamrut drenching and 8 % Panchagavya foliar application alternatively at fifteen days interval. Earliness in flowering attributes viz., first bud initiation (63.20 days), first flower opening (84.53 days) and full blooming (99.13 days) were observed in the same treatment. Alternate application of 500 l/ha Jeevamrut as soil drenching and 8% Panchagavya as foliar application at 15 days interval also resulted in a number of flowers per plant (35.52), flower yield per plant (141.39 g), flower diameter (6.32 cm) and weight of individual flower (4.11 g). While, treatment consisting of only 500 l/ha Jeevamrut soil drenching at fifteen days interval resulted in maximum available nitrogen (196.52 kg/ha) and viable bacterial count (94.78 × 105 cfu/g of soil) in the soil.

Performance of Rosy Adenium (Adenium obesum) Genotype under Prayagraj Agro-Climatic Conditions

Aim: The experiment was conducted in the Department of Horticulture, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture Technology and Science, Prayagraj, during 2023-2024. Study Design: The experiment was laid out in Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Methodology: 10 Rosy adenium genotypes and each genotype was replicated 3 times. The different genotypes used in the experiment were R4, R5, R23, R33, R35, R53, R73, R124, R163, R169. Results: The result obtained showed that the genotype R73 showed significantly higher performance in parameters like plant height, caudex diameter, graft length, graft diameter, days taken to bud initiation, number of petals per flower, flower diameter, self-life and which was found to be at par with genotype R33 in plant height, caudex diameter, graft length, graft diameter, days taken to bud initiation, number of petals per flower, flower diameter, self-life. Conclusion: Hence, genotype R73 and R33 is excellent in terms of performance and plant growth under Prayagraj agro-climatic conditions.

Inovasi Grafting Mangga Dodol (Mangifera indica L.) Berdasarkan Tipe Mata Tunas dan Panjang Entres

The research was conducted to determine the effect of selecting the type of entres length and bud eyes in grafting dodol mango (Mangifera indica L) on the process of bud initiation, bud height, and leaf width. The experimental design used was Randomized Complete Block Design with factorial pattern. The first treatment is the type of entres length, namely 7 cm (P1), 10 cm (P2) and 13 cm (P3) while the second treatment is the type of bud eye of the entres, namely without bud eye (M1), 1 bud eye (M2) and 2 bud eyes (M3). Based on the type of bud eye, treatments P2 and P3 showed a better effect than P1 on the bud initiation process and leaf width parameters. While in the measurement of bud height, P3 treatment showed a better effect than P2 and P1. Meanwhile, in terms of the type of buds, treatments M2 and M3 had a better effect than M1 on the process of bud initiation, bud height and leaf width. The results of the analysis of variance showed that there was an interaction between the type of length and the type of bud eye on all three parameters.

Effect of photoperiod and chemical retardants on growth and flowering of pot mums (<i>Dendranthema grandiflora</i> Ramat)

Potted plants of chrysanthemum varieties namely Arun Kumar and Sweta Singar, were exposed to 8 h light and 16 h darkness and natural photoperiod, and spayed with maleic hydrazide (1000 and 2000 ppm), cycocel (1500 and 3000 ppm) and control (distilled water) in factorial complete block design with three replications. The results revealed that controlled photoperiod of 8 h light and 16 h darkness was found significantly superior over natural photoperiod with regard to minimum internodal length (2.85 cm), days to floral bud initiation (98.88), maximum flowering duration (23.14 days), flowers plant-1 (189.50), flower diameter (2.72 cm), fresh weight of flower (1.16 g) and vase life (14.86 days). Among growth retardants, maleic hydrazide (2000 ppm) significantly recorded minimum plant height, maximum branches plant-1 (18.85), flowering duration (25.25 days), flower diameter (2.95 cm), flowers per plant-1 (194.90) and weight of flower (1.20 g), while, maleic hydrazide (1000 ppm) recorded minimum internodal length (2.65 cm) and maximum vase life (18.00 days). The cv. Arun Kumar under controlled photoperiod recorded minimum internodal length (2.38 cm) and early floral bud initiation (91.04 days), however, maleic hydrazide (2000 ppm) recorded maximum flower diameter (4.05 cm), fresh weight of flower (1.53 g) and vase life (18.50 days). cv. Arun Kumar under controlled photoperiod treated with CCC-3000 ppm showed the best performance in recording the maximum number of flowers plants-1 (138.00) during first fortnight of flowering.

Assessment of gene action and combining ability for advancement of yield andits attributing traits in pansy (<i>Viola </i>× <i>wittrockiana </i>Gams.) through diallel mating design

Pansy is one of the most important bedding winter annual for sub-tropical climatic conditions. Twenty-eight F1 hybrids of pansy were evaluated in randomized block design with three replications, to study the combining ability for vegetative and floral characters. The analysis of variance indicated significant variability among all the genotypes for all the characters. The ratio of genetic component of variance indicated the equal importance of additive and non-additive gene action in governing the flower yield and its component traits of pansy. Estimates of general combining ability effects showed that parents Pa-64-1-5-14, Pa-62-4-12-18, Pa-63-1-7-25 and Pa-32-8-7-6 were good general combiners for most of the traits except stalk length and flower size. The specific combining ability effects showed that for yield traits the best cross combinations were Pa-64-1-5-14 × Pa-62-4-12-18, Pa-13-1-2-3 × Pa-47-1-3, Pa-11-1-3-7 × Pa- 62-4-12-18, Pa-64-1-5-14 × Pa-63-1-7-25 and Pa-11-1-3-7 × Pa-64-1-5-14. The study on gene effect of different characters indicated the predominance of non-additive gene effects for most of the characters. The gca variances was higher for branches number, flower size, days from bud initiation to flowering and flowers number than sca variances, indicating additive gene action, and progeny selection will be effective for the genetic improvement of these traits.

Effect of Foliar Feeding of Plant Growth Regulator and Nutrients on Phenological Attributes of Guava (Psidium guajava L.) cv Apple Colour

Guava, (Psidium guajava L.), small tropical tree or shrub of the family Myrtaceae, cultivated for its edible fruits. Guava trees are native to tropical America and are grown in tropical and subtropical areas worldwide. Nutrients and PGR play a crucial role in flowering and fruit production and their deficiency can significantly impact the yield, productivity, and quality of fruits. Therefore, keeping these points in view, the present investigation was carried out on a 10-year-old guava plant in a high-density plantation (3x3) at the Fruit Research Station Imaliya, Department of Horticulture, J.N.K.V.V., Jabalpur (M.P.) during the mrig-bahar season of 2022-23. The study employed a Factorial Randomised Block Design (FRBD) with 20 treatment combinations involving Plant Growth Regulators (PGR) like salicylic acid and various nutrients, replicated three times. Results indicated that the combination of salicylic acid (200 ppm) + borax (0.5%) significantly influenced several phenological parameters. This treatment resulted in the earliest flower bud initiation (18.33 days) after foliar application, the highest average number of flower buds per shoot (7.05), minimum days to 50% flowering (33.67 days), maximum average number of flowers per shoot (6.95), the highest fruit set percentage (92.18%), the highest fruit retention percentage (81.23%), and the lowest fruit drop percentage (18.77%). The application of salicylic acid at 200 ppm in conjunction with borax at 0.5% (S2 M4) followed by salicylic acid at 300 ppm with borax at 0.5% (S3 M4) demonstrated exceptional efficacy in significantly optimizing phenological parameters when compared to the control.

Effect of BvAgNP on growth, development, and glyoxalase gene expression analysis in Mammillaria bombycina and Selenicereus undatus.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been used in plant tissue culture as growth stimulants, promoting bud initiation, germination, and rooting. In prior studies, AgNPs were synthesized and characterized by green synthesis using extracts from Beta vulgarisvar. cicla (BvAgNP), and their functionality as seed disinfectant and antimicrobial was verified. In this study, we evaluated the effect of BvAgNP on the growth and development of Mammillaria bombycina and Selenicereus undatus in vitro, as well as the expression of glyoxalase genes. Explants from M. bombycina and S. undatus in vitro were treated with 25, 50, and 100mg/L of BvAgNP. After 90 days, morphological characteristics were evaluated, and the expression of glyoxalase genes was analyzed by qPCR. All treatments inhibited rooting for M. bombycina and no bud initiation was observed. S. undatus, showed a maximum response in rooting and bud generation at 25mg/L of BvAgNP. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results exhibited a higher number of vacuoles in stem cells treated with BvAgNP compared to the control for both species. Expression of glyoxalase genes in M. bombycina increased in all treatments, whereas it decreased for S. undatus, however, increasing in roots. This study presents the effects of BvAgNP on the growth and development of M. bombycina and S. undatus, with the aim of proposing treatments that promote in vitro rooting and bud initiation.

Evaluation of Different Hybrid Tea Roses (Rosa x hybrida) under Prayagraj Agro-climatic Conditions

An experiment was carried out in the Department of Horticulture, Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj, from November, 2022 to March, 2023. The experiment was conducted in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with fifteen hybrids, replicated thrice. It was reported that hybrid H4 (Fatura) performed better in parameters like plant height (71.2 cm), number of branches (5), stalk length (35.10 cm), stalk girth (5.4 mm), bud diameter (2.7 cm), number of cut flowers per plant (5), vase life of the cut flowers (11 days), number of cut flowers per hectare (1,02,040), gross return (Rs 5,10,200 per ha), net return (Rs -2,36,354 per ha) and benefit cost ratio (0.7:1). However, days taken to first bud initiation (36 days) and days taken to first bud initiation to tight bud stage (13 days) were better in hybrid H5 (Brazil). Hence for quality cut flower production, vase life, yield, and economics, hybrid Fatura performed better under Prayagraj agro-climatic conditions.

Morphophysiological and biochemical responses of photoperiodic and temperature manipulations on growth and quality of cut stems of chrysanthemum

ABSTRACT The cut stem quality of Chrysanthemum varieties (Yellow Delight, Reagan Emperor, Reagan White, Shova and Punjab Shyamli) were evaluated in response to photoperiodic manipulations through Early planting (P1), Early planting with artificial short days (SDs) (P2) and Normal planting (P3). Cut stem length increased by 25.54% under P2 (79.77 cm) as compared to P3 (59.40 cm), whereas the number of flowers remained at par. Planting time and artificial SDs significantly influenced biochemical and morphological differentials. Membrane stability index (78.21), total soluble sugars (87.29 mg g−1 FW), total soluble proteins (90.85 mg g−1 FW), proline (17.57 mg g−1 FW) and peroxidase activity (16.37 Δ in absorbance min−1 g−1 FW) of Yellow Delight under P2 contributed to 1.39 times increase in its cut stem length over P3 and made it fit for P1 and P2 planting. Punjab Shyamli and Reagan Emperor exhibited luxuriant vegetative growth, whereas quality of Reagan White and Shova improved under P2. Principal component analysis revealed that days to bud initiation, days to flowering, peroxidase activity, membrane stability index, proline at bud initiation and cut stem length contributed significantly to variation (60.48%) among treatments. Moreover, cut stem length, correlated positively with days to bud initiation and flowering, TSS and peroxidase activity, leaf area and SLA, suggesting their importance in breeding for off-season flowering and quality enhancement.

Optimization of Flowering and Fruit Development in Ber (Ziziphus mauritiana L.) cv. Umran using Fertilizers, Micronutrients, and Bioregulators

In order to investigate the effect of fertilizers, micronutrients and bioregulators on flowering and fruit growth and developments on ber (Ziziphus mauritiana L.) cv. Umran, an experiment was carried out during 2019/2020 cropping season at the Fruit Research Station, Imalia, Department of Horticulture JNKVV Jabalpur. The study used a factorial design using randomized complete block design (RCBD), with three replications and a total of twelve treatment combinations that included bioregulators, micronutrients, and fertilizers either separately or in various combinations. The application of treatment T4 [RDF (N:P:K)+Foliar spray of GA3 + NAA (50 ppm+50 ppm)] was found to be significantly superior as compared to other treatments for flowering parameter in respect to induce early flower bud formation, based on the results obtained in this study. It takes 22 days to induce the earliest flowering after spray, and it takes 8.67 days to achieve 50% flowering. The earliest date of flower bud initiation was found with the T11 [RDF (N:P:K)+ NPK -18:18:18 (1.0%) + ZnSO4 (0.5%) + Borax (0.3%)] which showed to be the best for fruit growth and development characteristics, including specific gravity (1.047), fruit weight (36.52 g), fruit volume (36.56 ml), fruit length (4.53 cm), and fruit diameter (3.50 cm).With regard to practically every fruit growth and development attribute, the treatment T10 was found to be the second best.

Growth and Flowering of Lilium (Lilium longiflorum) cv. Eremo as Affected by CCC and GA3 under Naturally Ventilated Polyhouse Conditions of Prayagraj

The present investigation was carried out under naturally ventilated polyhouse conditions, Department of Horticulture, SHUATS, Prayagraj, during November, 2023 to March, 2024. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications. There were nine treatments comprising of Cycocel (CCC) and Gibberellic Acid (GA3) at different concentrations viz., GA3 (100, 200, 300 and 400 ppm) and CCC (100, 200, 300 and 400 ppm) along with Water spray. The results revealed foliar application of 300 ppm GA3 for Lilium significantly enhanced the number of leaves (71.83), plant height (76.47 cm), plant spread (15.44 cm), leaf area (9.73 cm2),number of buds (3.40),at 300 ppm of GA3 it takes lesser days taken for bud initiation(40.40),and also less days taken for first flower opening from planting (68.53), flower bud length (8.83 cm), flower stalk length (12.43 cm), stalk length (78.10 cm), self-life (12.97 days),flower yield per plant (3.40) and flower yield for 250 m2(6296.29) . Among the different treatments, the highest Gross return is 188888.7 Rs/250 m2, Net return is 120870.75 Rs/250 m2 and Benefit cost ratio is 2.77, obtained by the application of 300 ppm of GA3.Whereas in terms of only Bulb parameters, foliar application of 200 ppm of CCC for Lilium reported maximum number of bulblets per plant (4.11) and gives maximum weight of bulb per plant (74.07g).