Influence of Biostimulants on Yield and Quality of Dendrobium Orchid (Dendrobium Nobile Lindl.) var. Sonia-17 under Protected Cultivation

An experiment was carried out at farmer’s field, Chapparamane during 2017-19 to know the efficacy of biostimulants on yield and quality of dendrobium orchid var. Sonia-17. Eight biostimulants in two combinations were taken for the study in comparision with Recommended dose of Fertilizers (30:10:10 at vegetative stage and 10:20:20 at flowering stage) as control. The results revealed that among the biostimulant treatments, the plants receiving Biovita (Brown seaweed extract) @ 1.5 per cent produced maximum number of spikes per plant, spikes per square meter and spike yield per 560 square meter (3.93, 55.67 and 31,170 numbers, respectively) with maximum number of florets per spike (9.74), spike length (45.89 cm) spike girth (4.10 mm), spike weight (30.06 g),  diameter of floret (9.14 cm) and enhanced vase life of 32.75 days compared to all other treatments and control

Screening of China Aster [Callistephus chinensis (L.)] Genotypes and F1 Hybrids against Alternaria Leaf Spot Disease

Leaf spot disease caused by Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissler is a threat of China aster cultivation and is capable of causing yield losses in all production regions. The experiment was undertaken to screen genotypes and F1 hybrids which would be helpful in developing Alternaria leaf spot resistance varieties in later years. AAC-1 was found to be resistant against Alternaria leaf spot in both field and control conditions. In natural disease pressure, Arka Kamini, Arka Shashank and Arka Poornima recorded to be moderately susceptible, susceptible and highly susceptible to Alternaria leaf spot, respectively. However, in artificially inoculated condition, Arka Kamini showed susceptible reaction. Among F1 hybrids, AAC-1 x Arka Kamini and Arka Kamini x AAC-1 showed moderately resistant reaction; AAC-1 x Arka Poornima, AAC-1 x Arka Shashank, Arka Poornima x AAC-1, Arka Shashank x AAC-1 showed moderately susceptible disease reaction for Alternaria leaf spot