Vol. 10, Issue 11 (2021)

Author(s):
T Sadhu Prabakaran, M Velmurugan, SP Thamaraiselvi and MK Kalarani

Abstract:
Nerium oleander L. is an ornamental flowering shrub suited for landscaping. It has gained worldwide reputation as an ornamental plant due to its prolific and perpetual flowering behaviour, along with its heat sustaining property, salinity, and drought adaptation. Flowers from the genus Nerium are generally used in home and temple for offerings to God. This research is carried out in local farmer’s field in Salem district in order to understand the physiological and biochemical nature of Nerium plant by the introduction of different coloured LED lighting and fogging systems. The different coloured lights used were red, blue, white and yellow. The results revealed that the highest number of flower buds per inflorescence (10.0) was recorded by exposing the plant to red light for 6 hours + water spray (Fog) 15 min. for every one hour. The maximum weight was (23.1) observed in blue light for 6 hours + water spray (Fog) 15 min. for every one hour. The highest yield (129g/plant) was shown by giving Water spray (Fog) 15 min for every one hour. Red light for 6 hours + water spray (Fog) 15 min. for every one hourobtained the highest quantity of anthocyanin content of 0.86 µg/g in opened flowers and 0.81µg/g in unopened flower buds. The results reveal the fact that light plays a major role in influencing the physiology and biochemical nature of Nerium flowers.