MSc

The investigations on the evaluation of tropical foliage plant species for
use as cut foliage was conducted in the Department of Pomology and Floriculture,
College of Horticulture, during 2001-2003, with the main objectives of evaluating
the performance of the foliage species under field conditions together with their
post harvest performance.
Twenty-seven foliage plant species belonging to ten different families
were selected for the present study. They were evaluated for their height, spread,
leaf characters (length, breadth, area, longevity, interval of production, leaf yield
per month) and petiole characters (length, girth) under field conditions. The post
harvest performance of the cut foliage of these species was evaluated by various
pulsing and holding treatments. The best of the treatments were combined and the
selected species were evaluated in the combinations, also estimating the catalase
activity at different stages of treatment. Cut foliages of the different species were
also held at different temperatures to evaluate the influence of the temperature on
the vaselife. They were packed in cartons using different lining materials (both dry
and wet) and the effect of the lining materials were also evaluated.
In the field conditions the species exhibited wide variation 111 their
growth pattern and leaf characters. Maximu~ plant height was observed In
Asparagus setaceus, a twiner, while the maximum spread was recorded 111
SchefJlera arboricola, a shrub and Nephrolepis cordifolia, a fern. Leaf length was
maximum in Nephrolepis exaltata while the leaf breadth and petiole length were
maximum in Cyperus alternifolius. Philodendron wendlandii recorded maximum
petiole girth. Maximum leaf production was in Scirpus cernnus. Leaf area' recorded
was maximum in Monstera deliciosa while SchejJl.era arboricola and Nephrolepis
exaltata recorded the maximum longevity and maximum interval of leaf
production, respectively. The qualitative characters of the species differed in all
respects and a wide range of shape, texture, margin and pigmentation could be
observed.

In the post harvest evaluation for use as cut foliage, the pulsing
treatments were on par and among the holding solutions, distilled water and
acidified water proved to the best, thus eliminating the use of chemicals. Scoring of
.foliage projected Asparagus setaceus to be the best in terms of all the characters of
colour/pigmentation, shape/pattern, size and texture. The combinations indicated a
significantly higher vase life of the different species in a combination of any
pulsing treatment with a holding solution of either tap water or distilled water.
Catalase activity reduced in the foliage when treated with hot water and increased
when treated with tap water. Foliage kept in aoidified water after hot water dip
showed an increase in the activity. pH in the best treatment showed a lesser
increase whereas EC increased to a greater extent in the most inferior treatment.
Storing at a lower temperature of 17°C proved to be better for prolonging the vase
life of the foliage species, compared to ambient temperature. Packing with a wet
cotton plug at the petiole end increased the vase life of the foliage although lining
materials showed rio significant effect on the vase life.