Bract size enlargement and longevity of bougainvillea spectabilis as affected by GA 3 and phloemic stress

A field experiment was conducted to assess the effect of gibberellic acid (GA 3100 and 150 ppm), phloemic stress and combination of 100 ppm GA 3 and phloemic stress on Bougainvillea bract blooming, expansion, development and bract longevity under exposed sun light condition (400-700 μEm -2 sec -1). A seven-years-old Bougainvillea plant was used in this experiment. Fifteen selected brunches were applied with 100, 150 ppm GA 3, phloemic stress, 100 ppm GA 3+phloemic stress and water control. The results showed that 100 ppm GA 3 increased the length of petiole, bract size and shape by 40%. Bract blooming was three days earlier in 100 ppm GA 3 treated branches and 4 days earlier in 150 ppm GA 3 than in water control. Bract longevity (required days from bract initiation to abscission) was higher for 4 in phloemic stress and for 2 days in 100 ppm GA 3+phloemic stress than in water control. However, bract longevity was shorter in 100 and 150 ppm GA 3 than in control. The number of bracts per branch was higher in 100 ppm GA 3+phloemic stress and phloemic stress than the other treatments. Petal size and petiole length were the highest in 100 ppm GA 3. But there were no significant changes in bract size and color development in phloemic stress. Maximum chlorophyll fluorescence was observed in phloemic stress. Quantum yield (F√Fm) was higher in phloemic stress and 100 ppm GA 3+phloemic stress than in other treatments. The findings suggested that gibberellic acid played an important role to induce rapid bract blooming and expansion whereas, phloemic stress increased total number of bract and longevity. © 2009 Asian Network for Scientific Information

Growth, Yield and Quality Responses To Gibberellic acid (GA(3)) of Wax Apple Syzygium samarangense var. Jambu Air Madu Fruits Grown Under Field Conditions

A study was carried out to investigate the effects of gibberellic acid (GA(3)) on the growth and development of the red jambu air madu fruits (Syzygium samarangense). Various horticultural parameters were monitored during two seasons of fruit growth between December, 2008 to December, 2009 with the application of three concentrations of GA(3) at 20, 50 and 100 mg/L. It was observed that the application of GA(3) at 50 mg/L increased fruit length and diameter. Furthermore, it enhanced faster fruit growth and color development in addition to increasing fruit number, weight and yield. It also decreased premature fruit dropping. However, spraying with 20 mg/L GA(3) increased the number of buds and fruit setting and reduced bud dropping before anthesis. With regard to fruit quality, the application of GA(3) at 50 mg/L increased total soluble solids (TSS), total sugar, total biomass and total flavonoids content in the fruits by 112, 97, 45 and 92% compared with the control treatment. In addition, anthocyanin content, total phenol and antioxidant activity was higher in GA(3) treated fruits. From this study, it can be concluded that spraying with 50 mg/L GA(3) once a week results in better yield and quality of jambu madu fruits under field conditions

The effects of naphthaleneacetic acid and gibberellic acid in prolonging bract longevity and delaying discoloration of bougainvillea spectabilis

In this study, experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of NAA and GA3 on bract longevity under exposed sunlight conditions and six months of observation. Bougainvillea bracts at four different stages of bract development were sprayed with gibberellic acid (100 ppm GA3), naphthaleneacetic acid (50, 100 and 150 ppm NAA) and mixed GA3 (100 ppm) and NAA concentrations (50,100 and 150 ppm). Bract longevity was found to be almost 10 days longer in NAA (50, 100 and 150 ppm) than in the water control and in GA3 (100 ppm) treatment. In the case of GA3 and NAA (50, 100 and 150 ppm) treatment on alternative days, bract longevity was 30 days longer when compared with the water control. It was also observed that a delay in discoloration and stomata conductance were increased in the presence of GA3 with low a concentration of NAA. The results indicated that the prolonging effect of low concentrations of NAA at the initial budding stages was more effective compared with its application at other stages of development and at higher concentrations. Maximum bract weight and shoot length were observed in the GA3 and GA3 plus NAA treated flowers

Photosynthetic yield, fruit ripening and quality characteristics of cultivars of Syzygium samarangense

This study was carried out to evaluate the photosynthetic yield, color development and quality characteristics of three cultivars of Syzygium samarangense at commercial farm of Banting, Selangor and functional food laboratories, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur. Various physiological and biochemical parameters were studied during two seasons of fruit growth from October, 2009 to August, 2010 with the 'Giant Green', 'Masam manis Pink' and 'Jambu madu Red' cultivars of S. samarangense. Results showed that the highest chlorophyll content, maximal and variable fluorescence (Fm and Fv) in mature leaves and photosynthetic yield (Fv/Fm) were found in 'Jambu madu Red' cultivar. Furthermore, this cultivar that had the medium time for fruit development also produced the highest amount of Juice content (ml/100 g). The highest, lower fluorescence (F0) in mature leaves, maximal fluorescence (Fm) and variable fluorescence (Fv) in new flush, the earliest peel color and the fruit maturity were observed in 'Masam manis pink' cultivar. The highest, lower fluorescence F0 in new flush and chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll were recorded in fruit of 'Giant Green' cultivar. Also, some other quality parameter like peel, pulp, biomass and juice color, aromatic flavor, texture and taste were taken into account to compare the quality in the cultivars of S. samarangense. This study also showed that the photosynthetic yield had a strong correlation with the fruit biomass among the three cultivars. In conclusion, Jambu madu Red' and 'Masam manis pink' 'cultivars are comparatively better than 'Giant Green' cultivar if cultivated under South Asian conditions

Pruning impacts on rot-shoot growth, biochemical and physiological changes of bougainvillea glabra

The effects of different pruning on Bougainvillea plants was studied focusing on chlorophyll a & b, quantum yield, sugar content, biomass, stomatal conductance, and flowering process factors. Results on frequent pruning of Bougainvillea glabra plants gave the highest quantum yield, chlorophyll a and b, and maximum flower initiation per plant compared to those of non-pruning plants. Though the sugar content in pruned plants decreased, probably due to the prolonged vegetative phase, flowering process continues and developed new flower shoots. Minimum branch fresh weight and low potassium content were observed in complete pruning plants. The observations also indicated that different pruning treatments modify the root and shoot initiation, which affects the physiological and biochemical content of plants. In the case of the completed pruning, plant maintain a minimum shoot growth rate due to the low availability of potassium, sugar nutrient and lower root growth. Tertiary branch initiation was found to be more effective in the non-pruning condition. The above findings have given a better understanding of the effects of different pruning on the growth and development of the Bougainvillea glabra. Hence, it is suggested that frequent pruning can be used to maintain plant growth and flower shoot initiation

Effects of removal of young leaves and cytokinin on inflorescence development and bract enlargement in bougainvillea glabra var. "Elizabeth Angus"

A study was carried out to investigate the effects of removal of young leaves and different concentrations of cytokinin on inflorescence and bract quality development of Bougainvillea. Selected horticultural parameters were monitored at three days interval during the experimental period, using different concentrations of cytokinin with defoliation of young leaf. Results revealed that de-foliation with or without citokinin greatly increased the amount of assimilate accumulated at the reproductive shoot tip thus reduced vegetative growth but promotes inflorescence development. It was observed that 50mg/L cytokinin with defoliated twig produced highest number of bract, excellent blooming rate, enlarging the bract length and increase the bract longevity from other treatments and control. Furthermore, 50mg/L cytokinin plus defoliated branch produced the highest chlorophyll fluorescence and quantum yield. On the other hand, cytokinin 100mg/L treatment in defoliated plant increased the weight of individual bract and bracts including flower. Control treatment increased the stem elongation and enhanced the vegetative growth only. From this study, it can be concluded that defoliation of young leaf and cytokinin 50mg/L treatment enhanced inflorescence development and improve the quality of Bougainvillea bracts

An Evaluation of The Nutritional Quality Evaluation of Three Cultivars of Syzygium samarangense Under Malaysian Conditions

A study was carried out to selected physiological and biochemical characteristics of Syzygium samarangense for their physiological and biochemical characteristics at Functional Food Laboratory, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur. Various physiological and biochemical parameters were monitored during two seasons of fruit growth between October, 2009 to August, 2010 with the 'Giant green', 'Masam manis pink' and 'Jambu madu red' cultivars of S. samarangense. Ripened fruits of the different cultivars were collected from the experimental field of Banting, Selangor and analyzed for selected physiological parameters namely chlorophyll fluorescence, quantum yield, fruit weight, total yield, number of seed per fruit, seed weight and dry matter content and some biochemical parameters that is, juice content, pH, total soluble solids (TSS), glucose, fructose, inverted sugar, ethanol, total flavonoids, phenols and anthocyanins content. It was observed that highest chlorophyll fluorescence, maximum quantum yield (0.79), fruit weight, seed number (4) and seed weight per fruit (4.56 g) were in the 'Giant Green' cultivar while total yield, glucose (9.83%), fructose (9.9%), inverted sugar (9.57%), ethanol (20.5%), flavonoids (914.1 mg/100g) and phenols (326.67 mg GAE/100g) were in the 'Masam manis pink' cultivar, and the highest juice content (76.33 ml), highest total soluble solids (8.76 degrees Brix) and anthocyanins (2.78 mg/L) were in the 'Jambu madu Red' cultivar. From this study, it can be concluded that 'Masam manis pink' and 'Jambu madu red' cultivar are comparatively better than 'Giant green' cultivar under South Asian conditions