Vol. 12, Issue 3 (2023)

Author(s):
Kavana GB, Anand Burud, Chandrashekar SY and Mahammed Faizan

Abstract:
A survey of ornamental ferns with potentials for environmental protection and improvement was carried out at the department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, College of Horticulture, Mudigere (Under University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Shivamogga) during 2018-20. Fern Nephrolepis were collected from different vegetation zones of Chickmanglore district, Karnataka, India. This was with a view to creating awareness of the importance of ornamental ferns for environmental management and economic values. The beauty of offices of corporate organizations like banks, industries, schools, shopping complexes and religious buildings are enhanced by the ornamental plants such as ferns, flowers of different varieties, shrubs and trees planted within their surroundings. This has, therefore, made the demand for ornamental plants to be on the increase. Collected plants were raised. Morphological, growth and reproductive parameters were observed, documented for their ornamental value and for their relevance in environmental protection and improvement management. The result showed that there were a lot of variations in the shape, frond length and diameters, pinnae(leaflet) texture, size and shapes in all the ferns studied. They have shoot and root biomass which are directly involved in checking wind and soil erosion by covering and holding soils together. These ornamental ferns were found to have much value for landscaping and aesthetic purposes but they were found in few villages with little or no attention.