TOPIC: CULTIVATION PRACTICES OF TUBEROSE.

INTRODUCTION :

• Tuberose occupies a very selective and special position among the ornamental bulbous plant for its beauty , elegance and sweet pleasant fragrance.

• It has a great economic potential for cut flowers trade and essential oil industry.

•Due to their great demand, it is currently cultivated in most of the tropical and sub-tropical countries of the world.

•India has a long tradition of floriculture.

CULTIVARS:

There are three types of tuberose :-

i. Single with one row of corolla segments,ii. Semi-double bearing flower with 2-3 rows of corolla segment,iii. Double having more than three rows of corolla segment.

TUBEROSE :

VARIETIES :

Cultivars Varietal Characters

Rajat Rekha

It is a single flowered variety released by NBRI, Lucknow. The flowers have silvery white streaks along the middle of blade.

ShringarIt is a single flowered variety released by IIHR, Bangalore. The flower bud is attractive with slightly pinkish tinge. Its loose flowers are ideal for making garland while spikes can be used as cut flowers. Yield of loose flower is about 15,000 kg/ha/yr. . Shringar is preferred by farmers and industries due to its higher flower yield.

Cultivars Varietal Characters

Single Mexican It is a single flowered variety. Produces maximum f lowers during october – december, which is considered as lean months for tuberose flowers yield.

Swarna Rekha

It is a double flowered variety released by NBRI, Lucknow. The flowers are double and the leaf margin is streaked with golden yellow

Cultivars Varietal Characters

SuvasiniIt is flowered variety released by IIHR, Bangalore. It is a cross between single and double. This variety produces more flowers per spike. The spike are best suited for cut flowers.

Shringar

Suvasini

Single Mexican

Swarna Rekha

Rajat Rekha

REQUIRED ENVIRONMENT:

A. Climate :-

• Tuberose grows in mild climate without extremes of high and low temperature even though it can be grown under a wide range of climatic conditions .

• In , India the commercial cultivation of tuberose is mainly confined in warm humid area with average temperature range from 200 to 350 centrigrade.

• Temperature above 400 C reduces the spike lenght and quality of the flowers.

• Very low temperature and frost also damage the plant and flowers.

• Tuberose grows well in sunny situation.

B. SOIL :-

• Tuberose grows in a wide range of soils.

• Its cultivation can also be extended economically in almost unproductive soils affected by salinity and alkalinity .

• Loam and sandy loam soils having pH range from 6.5 to 7.5 with good aeration and drainage are considered suitable for its cultivation .

• The soil should be rich in organic matter and retain sufficient moisture for proper growth .

• FYM and leaf mould in proportion of 2:1:1 should be used.

C. PROPAGATION :-

• Tuberose is mainly propagated vegetatively by means of bulb.

• Although , not yet very common , propagation may also be done by the division of bulbs.

• To get virus free material or for a very rapid multiplication , the propagation is done through tissue culture.

CULTIVATION PROCESS :-

A. Site selection : Generally for optimum growth and high yield of flowers it is preferable to choose a place having plenty of sunlight. A little shade towards the later part of the afternoon is desirable in hot summer.

B. Soil preparation : The field should be worked deep to a good tilth and properly manured . If the soil is not throughly prepared and contain soil clods or decomposed organic matter, bulb production is affected and it also reduces the yield and quality of flowers. Well rotten cowdung or farmyard manure @ 50 tonnes/ha, should be incorporated with the soil about a month before planting. Care should be taken to make the land free from weeds.

C. Bulb selection and planting :- Selection of good planting material is necessary for obtaining higher yield and good quality of flowers. Generally bulbs having diameter 2.0-3.0cm are suitble for planting. It is observed that planting of bulbs having 2.6-3.0 cm recorded the highest yield of spikes and flowers.

E. Weed control:- Weed become a serious problem in the cultivation of tuberose . If these weeds are not removed in time, growth and productivity will be markedly reduced. Manual weeding is effective if done frequently. Generally, after each irrigation weeding is done.

F. Manureing and fertilization: The requirement for manures and fertilizers for tuberose vary with climatic conditions and soil types. During the preparation of soil a basal application of leaf mould, farmyard manure or cattle manure @ 20-50 tonnes/ha. High dose of N and P markedly promotes leaf and bulb formation in tuberose. These treatment also improves flowering. The effect of K has been less pronounced than N and P in these respect. The plant treated with less dose of N and P shows growth inhibition and fails to flower.Tuberose responds to fertilizer application but should not be fertilized with

D. Irrigation :- Soil moisture is an important factor affecting growth and flowering in tuberose irrigation should be done before planting to provide optimum moisture for sprouting anf further irrigation should be avoided until the bulb have sprouted . The tuberose field should be irrigated at 10-15 days interval if weather is dry. It has been suggested that during summer months ( April-June) the crop should be irrigated at weekly interval and during winter at 10 days interval.

excess N as the flower spike become quite tall and soft, making it vulnerable to wind and the plant become more susceptible to diseases and pest. The flower quality is also affected adversely. The effect of deficiency of various element is given in the table below.

Sl. No.

Fertilizer Element Deficiency Symptoms

1. NitrogenReduction in number of spikes and number of flowers per spike; typical pale green foliage.

2. Phosphorus Dark green upper leaves and purple colouration in lower leaves; and reduction in growth and flowering.

3. Calcium Cracking of the spike, bud rot in case of acute deficiency.

G.Diseases and pests:- Common diseases are - a) Stem rot b) Botrytis spots and blight c) Leaf spot d) Flower bud rot

Sl. No.

Fertilizer Element Deficiency Symptoms

4. Magnesium Interveinal chlorosis of older leaves.

5. Iron Interveinal chlorosis of new leaves.

6. Boron Cracking of leaf margins, deformation of leaves and stunted infloresence.

7. Manganese Yellowing between the veins of lower leaves.

Common pests are- a) Grasshopper b) Weevil c) Thrips d) Aphids e) Red spider mites

Botriyis Blight

Leaf spot

Grasshopper

Weevil

Thrips Red Spider Mite

HARVESTING :-

• Tuberose is harvested by cutting the spikes from the base for table decoration or the individual flower is picked from the spike for making garlands and other floral ornaments.

• Picking of flowers should be done in cool hours of the day either in the morning or in the evening.

• Harvesting of flowers on the previous evening and marketing in the next morning leads to a weight loss of about 40 per cent.

• The flowers spike for vases should be cut when the first pair of flowers fully open, with a sharp knife and place immediately in water.

• HARVESTING OF FLOWERS:

• HARVESTING OF BULBS :

• Harvesting of tuberose bulbs at proper stage of maturity is important for storage of bulbs and their subsequent growth after planting.

• The bulbs reach maturity when the flowering is over and plant growth ceases, depending on the environmental condition and soil moisture