MSc

Investigations on the “Performance evaluation of anthurium (Anthurium andreanum Lind) under two climate regimes” were conducted at the Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Trichur district and at the Orange and Vegetable Farm, Department of Agriculture, Nelliampathy, Palakkad district. The objectives of the experiment were to compare the growth, flower yield and quality of selected cut flower and pot plant varieties at two agro climatic locations and to recommend suitable varieties for the anthurium growing tracts of Kerala.

Ten, each, of the globally important cut flower and pot plant varieties of anthurium were chosen. They were grown under suitably designed greenhouses at both the locations. Observations were recorded on the vegetative and floral characters as well as post harvest behaviour of the flowers and foliage. Weather parameters were recorded daily, both inside and outside the growing structures.

Results of the studies showed that, among cut flowers, at Vellanikkara, plant height, leaf breadth and leaf area were the highest in the variety Aymara. Leaf length was the highest in Caesar. Highest leaf longevity was recorded for Chichas and lowest leaf production interval for Lucia. At Nelliampathy, plant height, leaf length and leaf area were the highest in Salasaga. Leaf breadth and petiole length were the highest in Esmeralda. Highest leaf number and longevity were in Aymara and lowest leaf production interval was in Lucia. Differences between the locations were significant for plant height, leaf length, leaf breadth, leaf area, petiole length and leaf longevity. All these values were higher at Nelliampathy.

Among pot plants, at Vellanikkara, plant height and leaf area were the highest in variety Condor. Leaf length was highest in Trampolino. Inti recorded maximum number of leaves and leaf longevity. Highest petiole length was recorded in Pumasillo. Lowest leaf production interval was in Mia. At Nelliampathy, plant height, leaf length, leaf breadth, leaf area and petiole length were the highest in Mia. Lowest leaf production interval was in Condor. Bonina recorded maximum number of leaves and leaf longevity. Difference between the locations was significant for number of leaves, leaf breadth, leaf area and petiole length. All these values were higher at Nelliampathy. Among cut flower varieties, Esmeralda, Titicaca, Salasaga, Aymara, Akapana and Jewel produced cut foliage of acceptable quality. Among pot plant varieties Patino, Pumasillo and Trampolino were superior.

Time taken for flowering was significantly lesser at Vellanikkara. It was the lowest in the cut flower variety Lucia, at Vellanikkara. Caesar was the earliest to flower at Nelliampathy. Among pot plants, Condor was the earliest to flower at Vellanikkara as well as at Nelliampathy. The duration was significantly lesser at Vellanikkara.

Varieties and locations differed significantly with respect to floral parameters also. Among cut flowers, at Vellanikkara, peduncle length, spathe length and spathe breadth were the highest in Titicaca. Spike longevity was the highest in Esmeralda. Lowest flower production interval was in Chichas. At Nelliampathy, peduncle length, spathe breadth and spike longevity were the highest in Caesar. Maximum spathe length and lowest flower production interval were in Esmeralda. Differences between the locations were significant for peduncle length and spathe breadth. These values were higher at Nelliampathy.

Among pot plants, at Vellanikkara, peduncle length was the highest in Mia. Spike longevity was the highest in Bonina. Spathe length was the highest in Trampolino and breadth in Excellent. Lowest flower production interval was in Diablada. At Nelliampathy, peduncle length was the highest in Mia. Highest spathe length and spathe breadth were in Condor. Spike longevity was the highest in Bonina and lowest flower production interval was in Diablada. Differences between the locations were significant for peduncle length, spathe length, spathe breadth and spadix length. These values were higher at Nelliampathy.

Angle of orientation of spathe was highest in Titicaca among cut flowers, at Vellanikkara. At Nelliampathy, Esmeralda was the topper. Among pot plants, the highest angle was recorded in Inti and Pumasillo, at Vellanikkara and Nelliampathy, respectively. Angle of orientation of spadix was lowest in Titicaca among cut flowers at Vellanikkara. At Nelliampathy, variety Aymara was the lowest. Among pot plants the lowest angle was recorded in Inti and Patino at Vellanikkara and Nelliampathy respectively.

At Vellanikkara, among cut flowers, maximum number of days for loss of glossiness was recorded in Esmeralda. Days for spathe necrosis and spadix necrosis were the highest in Benicito. At Nelliampathy, maximum number of days for loss of glossiness was in Esmeralda. Days for spathe necrosis and spadix necrosis were the highest in Benicito. Among pot plants, at Vellanikkara, maximum number of days for loss of glossiness was in Diablada. Days for spathe necrosis and spadix necrosis were the highest in Pumasillo and Coralis, respectively. At Nelliampathy, maximum number of days for loss of glossiness was recorded in Diablada. Number of days for spathe necrosis and spadix necrosis were the highest in Excellent.

Among cut flowers, maximum temperature was significantly and positively correlated with plant height in Akapana and Jewel and with number of leaves in Salsaga and Akapana. Among pot plants, maximum temperature was significantly and positively correlated with plant height, petiole length and leaf length in Diablada and Inti; with leaf breadth in Inti, Pumasillo and Trampolino and with leaf area in Inti. Among cut flowers, relative humidity was significantly and negatively correlated with plant height in Akapana and Jewel; with petiole length in Akapana and with number of leaves in Salsaga, Caesar and Akapana. In all other cases, correlation was not significant.