International Journal of Horticulture and Floriculture

International Journal of Horticulture and Floriculture Vol. 2 (8), pp. 119-123, August, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Vitro seedling development and Asymbiotic seed germination of Epidendrum ibaguense Kunth. (Orchidaceae)

Hasnain Adnan

Institute of Horticultural Sciences, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan. E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 28 July, 2014

Abstract 

Effects of four asymbiotic media; Murashige and Skoog (MS), Phytamax (Sigma, USA; PM), (M) and Knudson ‘C’ (KC) were evaluated for seed germination and early protocorm development in Epidendrum ibaguense Kunth. Besides, effects of peptone, activated charcoal and plant growth regulators (6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D)) were also studied. Maximum seed germination was achieved on M and PM (~90%) fortified with 2 gl^-1 peptone. Medium supplemented with 1.0 mgl^-1 BAP improved seed germination in contrast to basal media whereas 2,4-D either singly or in combination with BAP remarkably reduced the germination rate. Activated charcoal in the medium enhanced germination of seed, induced significantly large size protocorms (1.63±18) and early rooting in protocorms. Within two weeks of culture, spherules emerged out due to cracking of the seed coat. The spherules developed into protocorms with a leaf primordium at apical portion after 3 to 4 weeks and gradually produced complete seedlings. Strong and stout root system was induced in in vitro seedlings on transferring in half strength PM and M media fortified with 0.5-1.0 mgl^-1 indole acetic acid (IAA). Well-rooted seedlings were transferred to green house with 90% survival.

Key words: In vitro, seed germination, protocorm, Epidendrum ibaguense, orchid.

International Journal of Horticulture and Floriculture Vol. 2 (8), pp. 113-118, August, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

The production of a plant regeneration system from callus of DENDROBIUM cv. Serdang Beauty

Shajahan Farul, Mia Nizam and Amirludin Khan

Department of Floriculture and Landscaping, Horticultural College and Research institute, University of Malaysia, Pengkalan Chepa, Kelantan.E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 03 July, 2014

Abstract 

An IN VITRO propagation protocol was established for the DENDROBIUM Serdang Beauty orchid. The propagation protocol utilized calli tissues that were successfully initiated from protocorm-like bodies (PLBs) explants, while the leaf and root tip explants died. The percentage of protocorm-like bodies explants responding to calli formation was 100% in all tested levels of IAA, IBA and NAA auxin treatments. The highest amount of calli (49.59 gram) proliferated on MS medium containing 1.5 mg/L IBA. These calli successfully regenerated on media supplemented with either KIN or BAP cytokinins and combined treatments of KIN and IAA (4 mg/L) or NAA (1.5 mg/L). However, media supplemented with only 1 mg/L KIN was sufficient to produce significantly high percentage of plantlet formation (80%), high number of planlets per explant (4-5 plantlets) and high mean fresh weight per plantlet (11.128 g). These plantlets were acclimatized on all tested media and obtained satisfactory rate of plantlet survival (80-100%), mean number of leaves per plant (4-6 leaves), and mean leaf length (4 - 5 cm). Among these media, charcoal was considered the most economical and available material in the local market. During the development of this protocol, substantial necrosis of calli were observed when cultures were treated with 2,4-D and BAP. It was proposed that the presence of ethylene within the cultures, which is known to be emitted by plant growth regulators into the micro-climate of IN VITRO culture vessels, is the determining factor of a suitable plant growth regulator for the survival and growth of the DENDROBIUM Serdang Beauty calli cultures in our study.

Keyword: Auxin, cytokinin, callus, Plbs regeneration, orchid.

International Journal of Horticulture and Floriculture Vol. 2 (7), pp. 106-112, July, 2014.  © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Effects of daminozide and day length on the flowering of some quality parameters and chlorophyll content of (Chrysanthemum morifolium) Ramat

Jahangir Fepas, Nihad Nihad and Ammar Mulilo

Floriculture Unit, University of Baghdad, Iraq. E-mail: [email protected]. 

Accepted 25 June, 2014

Abstract 

This study was conducted to determine the effects of different day lengths and daminozide on days to flower, some quality parameters and chlorophyll contents of spray chrysanthemum plants (Chrysanthemum morifolium cvs. 'Yellow Reagan' and 'White Reagan') grown under greenhouse conditions. Day length and daminozide significantly affected days to flower, stem length, stem diameter and flower numbers per stem. While stem fresh weight and chlorophyll a and b contents were affected by day length, daminozide had an insignificant effect on these parameters. Long day (LD) conditions delayed days to flower by 42 days as compared to short day (SD) conditions. SD conditions reduced stem length (84.47 cm) by almost 2- fold as compared to LD conditions (169.88 cm) . Under SD conditions, the stem lengths of plants treated (3000 mg L^-1) and untreated (control) with daminozide were 79.21 and 89.73 cm, respectively, whereas under LD conditions, they were 156.33 and 183.43 cm, respectively. The flower number increased per stem both under SD conditions and with daminozide application. The numbers of flowers per stem were 13.40 and 11.87 under SD and LD conditions, respectively, and 14.11 flowers were obtained from the plants treated with daminozide, while 11.17 flowers per stem were obtained from the plants untreated with daminozide. LD conditions increased both chlorophyll a (11.50 µg/mg) and chlorophyll b (5.93 µg/mg) contents as compared to SD conditions. In the study, compact and higher quality flowers with a desired stem length were obtained both under SD conditions and with daminozide application.

Key words: Chlorophyll, Chrysanthemum, daminozide, long day, short day, stem length.

International Journal of Horticulture and Floriculture Vol. 2 (7), pp. 103-105, July, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Realization of half whiteness of botanicals by single step bleaching procedure for dry flower making

Shobhit Kottayam, Arslan Sartaj and Hussain Ansari

Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agricultural Science, Assam Agriculture University, Jorhat, Assam, India. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 04 June, 2014

Abstract 

Studies were conducted during 2010 to 2013 to identify the ideal bleaching agents for achieving half whiteness of different parts of plant used in dry flower making. Dried pods of Acacia auriculiformis, Sesamum indicum, Gossypium hirsutum, Pongamia glabra, and cones of Pinus spp were given bleaching treatment in a single step. Different chemicals viz., sodium hydroxide (10 %), sodium chlorite (10 and 20%), sodium hypochlorite (30%), hydrogen peroxide (10, 20 and 30%), hydrochloric acid (5%) and sodium silicate (1%) were used in 10 different combinations. The time taken for achieving required half whiteness (Yellow White Group – 158 – A) was observed as per RHS colour chart and the percentage of damage was calculated. Strength of whiteness was assessed and evaluated using RHS colour chart. Whiteness index was measured using Mini scan colour measurement system. Botanicals were scored for quality parameter viz., shape retention. The results indicated that, the treatment involving 20% sodium chlorite + 5% hydrochloric acid (cold water) proved superior with minimum bleaching time of 6 h and lowest rate of damage with highest whiteness index and maximum score for shape retention.

Key words: Dry flower making, botanicals, bleaching agents, half whiteness, RHS colour chart.

International Journal of Horticulture and Floriculture Vol. 2 (6), pp. 098-102, June, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Response of hybrid lilies development to the date of bulb removal

Haider Ammar, Danish Munir Gardish and Adnan Jamilu

Department of Botany, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan. Email: [email protected]

Accepted 31 May, 2014

Abstract 

The effect of different bulb removal date on the development of underground organs particularly bulblets of four lily hybrids was investigated. Three treatments were used included the bulbs were not removed (control) or removed 6 and 8 weeks after planting .The test hybrids were "Royal show" (LA hybrids), "White heaven" (L. longiflorum hybrid), "Sorbonne" and "Premium blond" (Oriental hybrids).The results indicated that the development of underground organs of plant was greatly influenced by bulb removal. However, both 6, 8 weeks treatments significantly increased the bulblet production compared to control treatment, but 8 weeks treatment recorded the highest production. The six weeks treatment had stronger induced effect on the emerged shoots from bulblets. The hybrid lilies differed significantly for all observed traits. However, the "Royal show" cultivar recorded the highest values of bulblets number and weight. The "White heaven" cultivar showed the best capability of the shoots emergence from the bulblets and from the daughters which grown inside the mother bulbs. Both "Sorbonne" and "Premium blond" cultivars had more growth of stem roots, less bulblets, no emerged shoots, compared to other cultivars. All these observations suggest that the technique of bulb removal have a potential use to stimulate the plant to produce more bulblets and the tested hybrids of lilies showed significant differences in their capability for bulblets formation and in their response to bulb removal.

Key words: Hybrid lilies, underground organs, bulb removal date, bulblets.

International Journal of Horticulture and Floriculture Vol. 2 (6), pp. 089-097, June, 2014.  © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Yield quality of statice [Limonium sinuatum (L.) Mill.] as affected by cultivars and planting densities

Shobhit Kottayam, Arslan Sartaj and Hussain Ansari

Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agricultural Science, Assam Agriculture University, Jorhat, Assam, India.  E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 16 May, 2014

Abstract 

A study was conducted in a plastic greenhouse at Freesia Ethiopia PLC Sululta located in the central highlands of Ethiopia with the objective of determining the effect of cultivar, planting density and their interaction effect with reference to yield and quality of Statice. The experiment was laid out in a 3 x 4 factorial arrangement using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The treatments consisted of three cultivars (‘Amazon Bird’, ‘Giant Blue Bird’ and ‘Yellow Sun Bird’) and four different planting densities (4, 6, 8, and 10 plants per m²). Data were collected on parameters pertaining to growth, yield and quality of Statice. The results of the study indicate a trend of rise in the number of marketable and unmarketable flowering stems per plot as the plant density increased from 4 to 10 plants per m². Conversely, flowers’ vase life significantly (P<0.01) decreased when planted densely. In addition, the fresh weight of the marketable stems significantly (P<0.01) decreased as planting density increased. Among the cultivars, ‘Yellow Sun Bird’ was found to be more productive in terms of marketable stems followed by ‘Giant Blue Bird’ and ‘Amazon’. In terms of stem length, ‘Yellow Sun Bird’ was found to be higher but was not statistically different from ‘Giant Blue Bird’. With regards to vase life quality, the best result was obtained from ‘Amazon Bird’ cultivar. Overall, the study reveals that planting density and varietal differences had valid effects on the yield and quality of Statice. Cultivars ‘Giant Blue Bird’ and ‘Yellow Sun Bird’ had better performance in many of the parameters than the ‘Amazon Bird’ cultivar. The highest planting density (10 plants per m²) demonstrated a positive influence on most of the evaluated parameters and therefore can be recommended for use by commercial growers in Ethiopia. However, further investigation is imperative on issues pertaining to the determination of nutrient supply for regulating the fresh weight of the product and other economic related topics.

Key words: Statice, Limonium sinuatum, planting density, Cultivar