Maximum Flowering Research Articles

Evaluation of Yield, Yield Component, and Essential Properties of Pot Marigold (Calendula officinalis L.) under Water Stress and Urea

To investigate the effect of irrigation and urea levels on some agronomic traits and the essential oil content of pot marigold, a study was conducted in a split-plot based on a completely randomized block design with three replications. The treatments included four levels of irrigation (irrigation after 5, 10, 15, and 20 days) and four levels of nitrogen (0, 80, 160, and 240 kg ha-1 of urea). The plant height, flower number, flower dry weight, number of seeds/head, thousand kernel weight, biological yield, flower essence percentage, and essence yield were measured in pot marigold under different irrigation and nitrogen levels. The results revealed that water stress, nitrogen, and their interaction had a significant effect on all investigated traits. The highest number of flowers/m2, number of seeds/head, thousand kernel weight, biological yield, and grain yield, were observed under simultaneous application of 5-day irrigation interval and 80 kg ha-1 of urea. Furthermore, the maximum flower essence percentage was obtained under the combined application of a 20-day irrigation interval and 80 kg ha-1 of urea. Nonetheless, the highest essence yield was obtained at 5, 15, and 15-day irrigation intervals and 80 kg ha-1 of urea. It was concluded that water stress and nitrogen can affect the yield and secondary metabolite production in pot marigold. Nonetheless, the highest essence yield can be produced under a 15-day irrigation interval and 80 kg ha-1 of urea. However, the highest biological yield and grain yield can be obtained at 5-day irrigation interval and 80 kg ha-1 of urea in pot marigold.

IMPACT OF VARIOUS PRESERVATIVE SOLUTIONS ON VASE LIFE AND POST-HARVEST QUALITY OF CUT ROSES

Short vase life and post-harvest losses of cut flowers are major threat to floriculture industry. There are different preservative solutions that have been used to extend the post-harvest life of cut flowers. Hence, this study was executed at Floriculture laboratory of Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad during 2018-2020 to explore the efficacy of different preservative solutions on vase life and post-harvest quality of cut roses. There were 6 treatments viz, (T1= Distilled water, T2= Silver nitrate @ 100 ppm, T3= 8-Hydroxyquiroline citrate @ 100 ppm, T4= Sodium thiosulphate @100 ppm, T5= Sodium benzoate @100 ppm, T6= Sucrose @ 40 g/L) and two rose cultivars Kardinal and Gold medal. The experiment was arranged according to complete randomized design (CRD). Results designated that longest vase life (15 days), maximum soluble solid contents (9.3 Brix) and longest opening period (7.4 days) were acquired with silver nitrate @100 ppm solution while maximum flower size (6.77 cm2) and largest head diameter (8.6 cm) were achieved with sodium thiosulphate when applied at the rate of 100 ppm in cultivar Kardinal. All other chemical solutions also displayed positive effects. Keeping in view the remarkable impact of Silver nitrate on vase life and quality of cut roses, it is recommended for commercial growers and cut flower industry for preservation of cut roses for longer time.

Influence of organics, inorganic and biofertilizers on growth, quality, yield, soil and plant nutrient status of marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) cv. Pusa Narangi Gainda

Organics, inorganics, and biofertilizers stimulate the growth, quality, yield, nutrient uptake, efficiency, and apparent nutrient recovery in marigold. A field trial was conducted for two consecutive years 2016/17 and 2017/18 during Fall to assess the influence of nutrients applied on growth, quality, yield, soil, and plant nutrient status of marigold. Azotobacter + vermicompost + 50% RDF responded highest plant height (76.91 cm) and increased phosphorus availability in soil at harvest (42.56 kg ha−1). However, increased number of secondary branches (22.35), leaf area (62.84cm2), E-W plant spread (49.80 cm), flower duration (103.36 days), number of flowers per plant (30.50), flower yield (234.75q ha−1), seed yield (5.87q ha−1), nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium uptake in flower (80.70 kg ha−1, 13.83 kg ha−1, and 73.02 kg ha−1), potassium use efficiency of plant (347.78 kg ha−1), apparent phosphorus and potassium recovery (16.95% and 93.97%) and postharvest available phosphorus of the soil (33.60 kg ha−1) were associated with Azospirillum + Azotobacter + vermicompost + 50% RDF. Azospirillum + Azotobacter + FYM + 50% RDF had shown maximum flower diameter (60.25 mm), carotenoid content in dry petals (11.37mg100g−1). Moreover, potassium uptake in stem (5.64 kg ha−1), nitrogen uptake efficiency (0.78%), phosphorus uptake efficiency (0.26%), nitrogen use efficiency (234.77 kg ha−1), phosphorus use efficiency (440.20 kg ha−1) and apparent nitrogen recovery (51.12%) was recorded to be highest in the treatment Azospirillum + Azotobacter + 50% RD N and P + 100% RD K. The study shows the great potential of organics and biofertilizers that could be used for integrated nutrient management in marigold.

Seasonal abundance of Blister Beetle, Mylabrispustulata Thunberg on Pigeonpea and Mungbean

Seasonal abundance and activity period blister beetle (Mylabrispustulata) on pigeonpea and mungbean were recorded at Research Farms of Pulses Section, Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. The results showed that the blister beetle started appearing in pigeonpea and mungbean in late August under Punjab conditions. During the crop season, its activity increased and reached at its peak in the end of September (13.90 beetles / 4 meter row length in pigeonpea and 5.48 beetles / 1 sq. meter quadrate in mungbean) coincided with the maximum flowering and afterwards it started declining due to the termination of flowers. The activity of blister beetle was more in the morning (20.23 beetles / 4 meter row length in pigeonpea and 8.04 beetles / 1 sq. meter quadrate in mungbean) and evening hours (21.04 beetles / 4 meter row length in pigeonpea and 8.06 beetles / 1 sq. meter quadrate in mungbean) as compared to the noon hours (0.43 beetles / 4 meter row length in pigeonpea and 0.33 beetles / 1 sq. meter quadrate in mungbean).

A Review on Reproductive Biology and Breeding System in <I>Melia dubia</i> Cav.

A prime member of family Meliaceae, Melia dubia (Cav. Syn. Melia composita Willd.) is a multipurpose tree species with global significance. Although species bears versatile importance world over, information on reproductive biology and breeding system is scarce and limited. The initiation of advance generation breeding in Melia dubia needs special focus on floral morphology, biology and breeding system aspects. Therefore, a systematic review on reproductive biology of Melia dubia was conducted and has been presented in this paper. It reveals that species bears complex hermaphrodite flower with maximum flowering during mid of March. Though information on reproductive biology is extremely inadequate, anthesis occurs during morning hours and stigma attains receptivity two hours prior to that and continues upto twelve hours of anthesis. Information on pollination biology and breeding system of Melia dubia revealed predominance of self pollination and self compatibility with frequent visiting of insects during flowering. Hybridization activities in M. dubia have not yet been reported and need to be envisaged for further improvement of species.

Effect of organic manures and bio-fertilizers on vegetative and floral traits of Chrysanthemum cultivars

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of manures and biofertilizers on three cultivars of chrysanthemum with two factor Randomized Block Design (RBD) replicated thrice, at Horticulture Research Farm of the RIMT University, Mandi Gobindgarh (Punjab). Various growth and flowering parameters were observed i.e. plant height at 45 days (cm), number of branches, number of suckers, days taken to first colour shown, days to full bloom, Flowering duration, number of flower per plant, number of cut stem per plant, diameter of flower (cm), flower weight (g), yield of flower per plant (g), yield of flower per hectare (q) for enhance farmers income. The results revealed that T7 (Vermicompost 5t/ha + PSB + Azotobacter) taken maximum plant height at 45 days (50.77 cm), respectively, maximum number of branches (5.14), number of suckers (9.99). Probing further, in floral parameters and yield, minimum number of days to first colour shown (65.90), days to full bloom (84.22) was observed in T7(Vermicompost 5t/ha + PSB + Azotobacter). Whereas, maximum flowering duration (32.87), number of flower per plant (40.22), number of cut stem per plant (6.88), diameter of flower (7.14 cm), flower weight (4.62 g), yield of flower per plant (186.13 g), yield of flower per hectare (167.515 q) was recorded in T7. Treatment combination of Vermicompost 5t/ha + PSB + Azotobacter performed as best result treatment for foliage and floral growth inchrysanthemum.

Efecto de los factores climáticos en las fases fenológicas de Mauritia flexuosa Lf. en plantaciones de terraza baja en Ucayali, Perú

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of air temperature and rainfall on the phenological development of Mauritia flexuosa in plantations located in Ucayali, Peru. For this, during a 24-month period, 191 19-year-old palm trees were evaluated, distributed in three plantations established on low terrace soils. The results showed that the 45% of palm trees did not manifest their sexual maturity, meanwhile, 42% and 13% of individuals with male and female sex, respectively, were verified. It was found that the phenological cycle was biannual, with overlapping phenophases and staggered events. In female individuals, maximum flowering was observed in phenophase FLA1 (4-5%) from September to November 2018 and maximum fruiting FRM1 (4-6%) from October 2018 to January 2019; In male individuals, the FLA2 flowering phenophase occurs in two periods between September 2018 and February 2020, meanwhile, the open flower phenophase of both sexes is synchronous in a higher proportion between September and November. It was determined that pluvial precipitation and air temperature (maximum and minimum) did not show correlation (p ≤ 0.05) with the productive phenophases of Mauritia flexuosa. The pluvial precipitation, the maximum temperature and the minimum air temperature showed null association with each one of the phenological phases of the Mauritia flexuosa palm trees during the evaluation period. In order to obtain information for the planning of silvicultural management activities for the conservation of the species, it is recommended to evaluate for more years the influence of climatic elements on the productive development of Mauritia flexuosa.

Performance of Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L) Varieties under Protected Condition

The present investigation was undertaken to elevate different carnation varieties for the performance of Growth, yield and post-harvest quality under protected condition. The experiment was conducted in Horticultural Research Station, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, The Nilgiris, India . The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with Eleven varieties of Carnation viz., Big one, Turbo, Solex, Hunza, Easy Golem, Express Golem, Red King, Golem, Gioele, Big mama and Happy Golem. observation were recorded for plant height (cm), days to first flower, flowering duration, length of flower stem (cm), diameter of flower (cm), Number of flowers per plant and Calyx splitting (High : 60% and above, Medium: 30 – 50%, Low : less than 30%), Strength of flower stem, vase life solutions viz., AOA (25ppm), AOA (50ppm), CoCl2 (10ppm) ,CoCl2 (20ppm) and plain water for 30 minutes. The cultivar Happy Golem recorded maximum plant height of 100.50cm and the minimum plant height of 77.0 cm was noticed in Golem. Maximum number of shoots per plant was recorded in the cultivar Gioele (7.98 ) followed by Hunza (7.50) and minimum number of shoots per plant was observed in the entry Golem (5.30).Maximum number of leaves (195.20) and Leaf length (13.55 cm) was recorded in the entry Gioele. The Days to first flower ranged between 130.01 to 139.20 days from planting. The cultivar Turbo (130.01) recorded early to initiate the flower bud followed by Golem (130.10) .The cultivar Red king recorded maximum flowering duration of 13.50 days followed by big mama (13.20 days)) and minimum flowering duration was observed in Happy Golem (10.47 days).The Cultivar Gioele recorded the highest stalk length of 93.00 cm and the lowest stalk length of 68.50cm was observed by Golem. With respect to yield parameters maximum number of flowers per plant was recorded in Gioele (7.50 nos) followed by Red king (7.17 nos) and Hunza (6.97 nos) and Minimum number of flowers per plant was recorded in Golem (5.11 nos). Maximum number of A and B grade flower stems are produced in the Variety Gioele. Among the cultivar for prolonging the vase life of Carnation, treatment comprising of AOA @50ppm recorded maximum vaselife of 19 days by cultivar, minimum flower diameter (5.3cm) and maximum total water absorbed (45.0 ml) and found to be the best to increase the shelf life of carnation.

Passive acoustic monitoring of the diel and annual vocal behavior of the Black and Gold Howler Monkey.

Passive acoustic monitoring, when coupled with automated signal recognition software, allows researchers to perform simultaneous monitoring at large spatial and temporal scales. This technique has been widely used to monitor cetaceans, bats, birds, and anurans but rarely applied to monitor primates. Here, we evaluated the effectiveness of passive acoustic monitoring and automated signal recognition software for detecting the presence and monitoring the roaring behavior of the Black and Gold Howler Monkey (Alouatta caraya) over a complete annual cycle at one site in the Brazilian Pantanal. The diel pattern of roaring activity was unimodal, with high vocal activity around dawn. The howler monkey showed a clear seasonal pattern of roaring activity, with most of the roars detected during the wet season (74.9%, peak activity during November and December). The maximum vocal activity occurred during the period of maximum flowering and fruit production in the study area, suggesting a potential role of roaring in defending major feeding sites, which is in agreement with the findings of previous studies on the species. However, we cannot rule out the possibility that roaring may serve different purposes. Vocal activity was negatively associated with relative air humidity, which might be related to lower vocal activity on wetter and rainy days, while vocal activity was not related to minimum air temperature. Automated signal recognition software allowed us to detect the species in 89% of the recordings in which it was vocally active, but with a reduced time cost, since the time investment for data analyses was 2% of recording time. The good performance of the recognizer might be related to the long and loud roars of the howler monkey. Further research should be performed to evaluate the effectiveness of automated signal recognition for detecting the calls of different species of primates and under different environmental conditions.

Himalayan Hotspot with Alien Weeds: A Case Study of Biological Spectrum, Phenology, and Diversity of Weedy Plants of High Altitude Mountains in District Kupwara of J&K Himalaya, India

Authentic certification, documentation, and ecological characterization of weed flora are of paramount importance for future studies that would help to formulate strategies for their management and conservation. Alien plants used to pose severe threats to ecosystems, and qualitative studies on weed flora in many interior regions of the Himalaya are still scarce. Patterns of species diversity, biological spectrum, and phenology of weeds growing in the Himalayas with invasive nature were investigated from 2017 to 2019 in thirty-eight localities of interior Kupwara district of Kashmir Himalaya from different agroecological zones. A hierarchical cluster analysis using the presence or absence data of flowering among plant species was performed and a complex Heatmap package was used. Data collected revealed a total of 158 plant species belonging to 115 genera and 35 families identified from a high altitude district Kupwara in India. The species distribution pattern across the families was unequal, with three families share more than half of the species documented, while fifteen families were monotypic. The family Asteraceae, Poaceae, and Brassicaceae were the most important weeds in terms of species abundance and species richness. Asteraceae represented by 35 species, as the dominant family followed by Poaceae with 19 species, and Brassicaceae by 14 species. In terms of functional trait diversity, the annual growth form was dominant over other forms such perennial or biannual. The phytogeographical analysis revealed that the maximum 91 species collected were native, while a minimum of 67 species reported as alien. Of the alien species, 25 were invasive, 35 naturalized, and 7 casual. The biological spectrum revealed the dominance of therophyte life form indicating the disturbed vegetation. The phenological spectrum revealed the maximum flowering period of weeds is between April and September where about 73% of species were observed in full bloom. This research adds an important way to the basic information of biodiversity patterns in the Himalayas and constitutes baseline data for the planned implementation of conservation. The outcomes also provide the baseline information on alien weeds, their invasive nature as well as in for better prediction of phenological shifts associated with these species due to contemporary climate change. It also would help to design conservation and management plans for threatened or otherwise important species for future implementation.

Effect of altitudinal variation on floral morphology in Valeriana jatamansi, a critically endangered medicinal plant of north east Himalayan region

Countless medicinal plants are endemic to Indian Himalayan region. Over exploitation of Valeriana jatamansi for its rhizome these species are now came under endangered species. Rhizomes and roots of this species have secondary metabolite like valerenic acid and valepotriates that can cure obesity, skin diseases, epilepsy, insanity and snake poisoning etc. Present research deals with the flower morphological trait study over control Kalimpong environment with four lower altitude exposed treatments. From the independent sample t test it has been cleared that the flower diameter has been gradually decreased in the exposure of lower altitude. Moreover length of style was found to be of highest value for control K plants. Research findings visibly indicated that alternate exposure of higher and lower altitude gives a significant impact on anther size. From these findings it may be concluded that lower altitude exposure enhance cross pollination and there is a positive correlation of petal breadth over the maximum flower diameter.

Influence of girdling on stimulation of flowering and yield in mango (CV. Alphonso) in hard lateritic rocky areas

The investigations, conducted during the year 2018-19 at Mango Research Sub-Centre, Rameshwar, Tal. Deogad, Dist. Sindhudurg (Maharashtra), located on hard lateritic rocky area, with five girdling time treatments viz., girdling in second fortnight of August (T1), girdling in first fortnight of September (T2), girdling in second fortnight of September (T3), girdling in first fortnight of October (T4) and control (no girdling) (T5), showed early initiation of flowering at 43rd standard meteorological week with maximum flowering intensity (63.75%) and highest hermaphrodite flower (9.40%) when girdling was done in first fortnight of September (T2). This treatment also recorded highest number of fruits (149.25 fruits tree-1), yield kg tree-1 (32.68) and t/ha-1 (3.27) than against lowest of 101.25, 22.31 and 2.23 of the respective parameters in the control.

Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management on Flower Quality of French Marigold (Tagetes patula L.) cv. Pusa Arpita

The present investigation was carried out with the aim to find out the effect of integrated nutrient management on flower quality of French marigold (Tagetes patula L.) cv. Pusa Arpita at the Horticultural Research Centre, Department of Horticulture, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut, U. P., India, during the year 2019-2020. The study consisted of organic manures (FYM and Vermicompost), Bio-fertilizers (PSB and Azotobacter), and the recommended dose of inorganic fertilizer (RDF) (150:60:60 kg NPK/ha). The combined application of ½ RDF + ½ PSB+ ½ Vermicompost showed significant influence on quality parameters that include; maximum flowering duration (60.66 days), circumference of flower (22.51 cm), number of florets per flower (136.55), length of flower stalk (6.44 cm), and the vase life of flowers were enhanced by up to 7.47 days over the control that was recorded in the same treatment. The study concluded that there was a significant influence of the combined application of organic manure, bio-fertilizer and inorganic fertilizer on French marigold to enhance the flowering quality and their characters.

БИОМОРФОБИОЛОГИЧЕСКИЕ ОСОБЕННОСТИ РОЗЫ ЭФИРОМАСЛИЧНОЙ СОРТА ФЕСТИВАЛЬНАЯ ПРИ ВЫРАЩИВАНИИ НА ЮБК И В СТЕПНОМ КРЫМУ

Today, the high demand for rose processing products in the world market determines the need to restore the raw material base of aromatic roses and the development of essential oil manufacture. In the era of the USSR, rose cultivar ‘Festivalnaya’, which was created in the Nikitsky Botanical Garden (NBG-NSC), was one of the most promising for industrial cultivation. Plants of this cultivar are undemanding to environmental conditions and agricultural technologies, grow well on the carbonate soils, resistant to chlorosis, rust, powdery mildew. High mass fraction of essential oil (0.12– 0.14 % of the weight in raw form) and yield (15.8–39.0 centners/ha), as well as high content of phenylethyl alcohol in the essential oil, which was close to the standard - Bulgarian rose from the Kazanlak valley, are distinctive characteristics of this cultivar. For the last 25-30 years, biomorphological studies of plants of this cultivar in the conditions of the Crimea and Russia have not been conducted. The purpose of the research was to study the degree of manifestation of varietal traits of plants of the aromatic rose cv. ‘Festivalnaya’ in different ecological and geographical conditions of the Crimea to determine its genetic stability at conditions of weather and climatic changes in the region. Studies were carried out in 2015–2019 in the collection plantations on grafted plants under conditions of the Southern Coast of the Crimea (SCC) and the Crimean steppe zone according to generally accepted methods. Comparing the obtained data with the literature sources, we concluded that under modern growing conditions, morphological changes affected an increase in the number of thorns per unit of measure (7.18 ± 2.34 pcs., which on average surpasses the literature data by 2.0 pcs.), an increase in the double-flowered trait (on average, there are 95.2 ± 9.0 petals, which is 20 petals more than according to the data mentioned in 1975–1976). The results of phenological observations showed that rose bud swelling in the SCC and steppe Crimea begins in the second half of February when the sum of positive temperatures is above 231 °С and a steady increase in air temperature is above 5.4 °С. Over the past 40 years, the beginning of flowering of the aromatic rose cultivar ‘Festivalnaya’ in the Southern Coast has shifted to an earlier date. The beginning of flowering occurs in the middle/end of May when a certain accumulated temperature is reached (above 1125 °C) and the average monthly air temperature is above +17.5 °C. The period of mass flowering, during which it is possible to collect up to 80 % of the flowers from the total crop, in the Southern Coast lasts 14.4 ± 2.9 days, namely from the end of May to mid-June. In recent years, a tendency to a decrease in the duration of the flowering period of the aromatic rose cv. ‘Festivalnaya’ is observed: the maximum flowering time has decreased and became seven days shorter; the average flowering time – three days shorter. The yield of flowers of grafted bushes of ‘Festivalnaya’ at the age of four to eight years averaged 17.0 centners/ha; the maximum yield reached 24.6 centners/ha.

Suitability evaluation of crossandra genotypes under Hyderabad conditions

The present investigation was carried out at Floricultural Research Station, SKLTSHU under AICRP scheme for testing of new genotypes of crossandra for three consecutive years. The experiment was carried out from 2014-2017 laid out in RBD with five genotypes as treatments viz., Arka Shravya, Arka Ambara, Arka Kanaka, Arka Shreeya and local cultivar as check and replicated four times. The results revealed that among the genotypes maximum plant height (95.84 cm), plant spread (126.60 sq.cm), number of branches per plant (9.34) was recorded in Arka Shravya and minimum was recorded by Arka Kanaka. Similarly Arka Shravya recorded longest spike length (20.84 cm), rachis length (10.04 cm), number of flowers per spike (17.34) and number of pickings per month (18.34). However, flower length (4.24 cm) and 100 flowers weight (7.67 g) was recorded maximum in Arka Shreeya and maximum flower diameter was recorded in Arka Ambara. Based on RHS colour chart Arka Ambara, Arka Shreeya and Local cultivar comes under orange group, Arka Kanaka is a Yellow orange group one and Arka Shravya comes under red group category. It can be concluded that Arka Shreeya and Arka Ambara can be replaced with local variety for loose flower cultivation and Arka Shravya as both loose flower and garden display and Arka Kanaka for garden display and landscaping.

Studies on effect of plant growth regulators on plant growth and flower yield of crossandra (Crossandra infundibuliformis L.) var. Arka ambara

The field experiment was conducted to determine “Effect of Plant Growth Regulators on Growth and Flower Yield of Crossandra (Crossandra infundibuliformis L.) cv. Arka Ambara” under Prayagraj agro-climatic conditions in the Department of Horticulture, SHUATS, Prayagraj, (U.P) during the Kharif season 2019-20. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with 13 treatments replicated thrice. The treatments were comprised of three concentrations of Gibberellic acid (50,100,150 ppm), NAA (50,100,150 ppm), Cycocel (500,750, 1000 ppm), Maleic Hydrazide (100,200,300 ppm) and control (water spray). The plant growth regulators were sprayed four times viz., 30, 60, 90 and 120 days after transplanting.The result revealed that T7( GA3@150ppm) was recorded maximum plant height (71.10) and minimum in CCC @1000ppm T10(48.61).Significantly maximum leaf area (2987.67 cm2), number of branches(16.23),duration of flowering (128 days),number of flowers per spike (51.45), flower yield per plant (82.60 g), flower yield per hectare (4.23 t/ha), shelf life (3.64 days ) were also observed in plants sprayed with the Gibberellic acid @150ppm similarly minimum was observed with T0 control and days taken to flower spike initiation T6 (35.23days) observed at GA3 @100 ppm significantly early to harvest and maximum flower weight (4.24 g) /100 flower was observed. The results shows that significant difference among the different plant growth regulators with respect to growth parameters, which are responsible for flower yield.

Quantifying Variation in Zostera marina Seed Size and Composition at the Species’ Southern Limit in the Western Atlantic: Implications for Eelgrass Population Resilience

At the southern limit of Zostera marina in the Western Atlantic, sexual reproduction has provided a mechanism of recovery following thermal stress–related interannual losses. To understand the natural variability in seed quality in eelgrass meadows, flowering shoots were collected weekly to bi-weekly during the 2018 flowering season (March–June) from three sites in Topsail Sound, North Carolina (NC). Seeds were also collected during the period of maximum flowering (May) and examined for changes in seed composition (carbohydrates and proteins) and viability across seed sizes and between sites. The results of the present study show that while eelgrass phenology is following recognized temperature patterns, flowers matured 2–4 weeks earlier in the year than was previously documented. NC eelgrass populations also produced smaller seeds at greater densities than more northern perennial North American populations. In addition, viability did not differ across seed sizes suggesting that seed weight at the time of seed release may not be a reliable measure of seed quality. However, absolute carbohydrate and protein content did increase with seed size. More energy resources in larger compared with smaller seeds may result in better seed germination success. There was also site-based variation in seed length, width, area, and carbohydrate content despite similar temperature environments across the sites, indicating that local-scale factors may affect Z. marina seed size and composition. Information on variations in phenology, seed production, seed size, and seed composition across the species’ geographic range is necessary to better predict eelgrass response to biophysical disturbances and climate change.

Effect of biostimulants on economics of flower and seed production in china aster cv. Kamini

The present experiment was conducted at the Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Shivamogga (under University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Shivamogga) during 2016-17 to determine the effect of biostimulants on yield and economics of China aster cv. Kamini. The experiment comprised of thirteen treatments viz., two concentrations of biostimulants at four frequencies (first, second, third and fourth spray at 45, 60, 75, 90 days after transplanting) and control. Each treatment was replicated thrice in randomized complete block design (RCBD). The maximum flower yield/ha (30.23t) and seed yield/ha (4.57q) was obtained from the plants treated with GA3 @ 200ppm. The study on the economics revealed that, GA3 @ 200ppm recorded the highest B: C ratio of 6.1 and 12.08 for flower and seed production, respectively.

Studies on alternative holding solutions for improving vase life of cut carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.)

Studies were conducted to study the effect of different holding solutions on vase life and associated characteristics of cut carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) flowers. Serotonin (300 uM) resulted in earliest flower opening, maximum flower diameter, maximum amount of holding solution consumption, maximum score for freshness of cut flowers, maximum RWC and maximum membrane stability. Cut flowers exhibited highest vase life of 27.37 days when placed in serotonin (300 uM) followed by 24.67 days in holding solution containing sucrose (2%) + 8HQC (150ppm) + BA (5ppm). Therefore, serotonin (300 uM) can be used as a noble environmental friendly alternative holding solution in floriculture industry to replace harmful chemical compounds which are being used to increase flower longevity of carnation cut flowers.

Studies on Seed Production of China aster as Influenced by Nitrogen and Phosphorus

A field experiment was carried out at the farm of Horticulture section, College of Agriculture, Nagpur during the years 2016-17 and 2017-18 in Factorial randomized block design to find out the most suitable dose of nitrogen and phosphorus for increasing seed yield and obtaining better quality seed of China aster with nine treatment combinations and three replications. The treatments comprised of three levels of nitrogen viz., 150, 187.5 and 225 kg ha-1 and three levels of phosphorus viz., 50, 62.5 and 75 kg ha-1. The results revealed that, significantly maximum flowers plant-1, seeds flower-1, germination % of seed, seed yield plant-1 and ha-1 and test weight of seed were registered with the individual treatments of 225 kg nitrogen and 75 kg phosphorus ha-1. However, the treatment combination of 225 kg nitrogen + 62.5 kg phosphorus ha-1 was found to be the best treatment as compared to others for obtaining maximum seed yield and good quality seed in China aster.