Abstract:
Investigations on flower bud differentiation in clove
were carried out at College of Agriculture, Vellayani
from August, 1936 to December, 1987. Bearing clove trees
(seven years old) at the Instructional Farm attached to the
college were utilized for the study. The plant specimens were stored in FAA (Formalin-acetoalcohol)
and then dehydrated through tertiary butyl alcohol -
iso propyl alcohol series. The specimens were Infiltrated
and embedded In paraffin wax (m.p. 58-60'C) and sectioned In
a rotary microtone. The sections were then de-waxed, stained
and examined for the anatomical features and photoalerogra-
phed.
The weather parameters and the nutritional factors
recorded daring the period of study and those during sixteen
fortnights prior to differentiation, were correlated with the
data on flower bud differentiation.
Significant positive correlation was obtained between
the maximum temperature during the sixth to tenth fortnights
before differentiation and the percentage of flower buds
differentiated. Sunshine hours during ninth to twelfth fort
night prior to differentiation showed a positive correlation
with the percentage of flower bud differentiation.
