Vol. 12, Issue 11 (2023)

Author(s):
Navya VG and Nirmala KS

Abstract:
The present investigation entitled “Influence of pruning schedule and growth regulators on growth and quality characteristics in jasmine (Jasminum sambac (L.) Aiton.) During off season flower production” was carried out at the Department of Horticulture, UAS, GKVK, Bengaluru during 2022-2023. Three pruning treatments were imposed during the second fortnight of August (P₁), October (P₂) and December (P₃ control). Foliar application of growth regulators viz., GA₃ at 100 (G₁), 150 (G₂), and 200 ppm (G₃); Cycocel at 500 (G₄), 750 (G₅), and 1000 ppm (G₆) and double distilled water (Control, G₇) were sprayed at 15 days after pruning. 21 treatments comprising of pruning schedule and growth regulators was laid out in Factorial Randomized Complete Block Design (FRCBD) with three replications. Among off season pruning October pruning with GA₃ at 200 ppm was recorded maximum plant height, plant spread in E-W and N-S directions at 120 days after pruning. Higher number of secondary branches per plant were recorded in P₂G₆ (October pruning + Cycocel at 1000 ppm) at 120 days after pruning. Flower quality characteristics viz., corolla tube length, bud length and flower diameter were significantly maximum in plant pruned with October pruning with GA₃ at 200 ppm. While, bud diameter and 100 buds weight higher in P₂G₆ (October pruning + Cycocel at 1000 ppm). Shelf life showed no significant difference among the treatments. Total duration of flowering was maximum in plants pruned during October month with application of Cycocel at 1000 ppm (P₂G₆) with significantly increases in off- season flower yield per plant (0.285 kg).