Utilization of flower waste for the removal of chromium from tannery effluent

In this work we used flower waste biomass as a biosorbent to remove Cr from tannery effluent through column experiments. The sorption capacities of biosorbent (Fine, coarse and rough grades) were also evaluated by employing chemical pretreatments viz., sodium hydroxide, acetic acid, glutaraldehyde and hydrogen peroxide. The order of percentage removal of Cr using the above pretreatments was: 10% hydrogen peroxide < Raw powdered-FWB < 2% Gluteraldehyde < 10% Acetic acid < 0.1N sodium hydroxide. Among the different grades of biosorbents used, fine grade adsorbed more Cr (70 %) than that of coarse (64%) and rough (62 %) sorbents. The removal percentage of Cr from tannery was analyzed by using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy, the functional groups which are responsible for adsorption was examined by Fourier Transform- Infrared Spectroscopy and the amorphous behaviour of FWB facilitating metal biosorption was indicated by the X-ray diffractogram. This study showed that pretreated flower waste biomass is a potential sorbent of Cr, which could be successfully used to reduce the Cr content in tannery effluent

Effect of different nutrient formulations on growth and yield of Cordyline fruticosa grown in soilless culture system

Cut foliages are an important component of the floricultural industry, largely used in decoration as filler in floral compositions. They provide freshness, colour and variety to arrangements and bouquets. Cordyline fruticosa is an important cut green in the world trade and used worldwide for its beautiful foliage.The increasing demand for the production of quality cut foliages pressurizes the flower growers to adopt advanced technologies even under poor resource conditions. Soilless culture is one such production system that involves precise control of nutrition and efficient use of water, which in turn resulted in quality produce commanding premium price in the market. Owing to the above demand, the present investigation was carried out during 2017-18 at Horticultural College and Research Institute, Periyakulam to determine the effect of different nutrient formulations on growth and yield of Cordyline fruticosa grown in soilless culture system. Eight nutrient formulations were tested for its efficacy along with rain water as control and observations on growth and yield parameters were recorded. The results of the study revealed that Hoagland and Arnon- nutrient formulation increased growth and yield parameters of Cordyline fruticosa grown in soilless culture system

Influence of Biostimulants and Micronutrients as Foliar Spray on Growth, Yield and Quality of Chow chow (Sechium edule (Jacq) Swartz)

Micronutrient deficiency is quite prevalent in the mid hills of Tamil Nadu and it greatly influences the yield of numerous horticultural crops like chow chow. Therefore, the present investigation was carried out to study the effect of foliar application of bio stimulants viz. panchakaviya (3%), humic acid (2%), and micronutrients on yield of chow chow. The bio stimulants and micronutrients were sprayed on the vines at 15 day intervals on 60, 75, 90, 105, 120, 135 and 150th day after planting. The results revealed that the foliar application of panchakaviya (3%) recorded maximum fruit length (10.82 cm), fruit diameter (11.70 cm), number of fruits per vine (19.08), fruit weight (335 g), yield per vine (6.43 kg) and yield per hectare (26.60 t). Among the micronutrient treatments, the foliar spray of ZnSO4 0.5% + FeSO4 0.5% + Mg SO4 0.5%+ Boric acid 0.3%+Cu SO4 0.1%+Mo 0.02% recorded the highest values for number of fruits (20.18/ vine), fruit length (12.00 cm), fruit diameter (12.75 cm), fruit weight (363.50 g), yield per vine (7.27 kg) and yield per hectare (33.45 t). The interaction effects proved that the combined spray of panchakaviya (3%) and micronutrients ZnSO4 0.5% + Fe SO4 0.5% + Mg SO4 0.5%+ Boric acid 0.3%+Cu SO4 0.1%+Mo 0.02% recorded the highest values for number of fruits (21.35 /vine), fruit length (12.00 cm), fruit diameter (13.00 cm), fruit weight (367.00 g), yield per vine (7.58 kg) and yield per hectare (35.45 t). The application of panchakaviya (3%) and micronutrients on 60, 75, 90, 105, 120, 135 and 150th day after planting increased the yield and farmers were convinced with this technology for getting higher yield

Effect of different media incorporated with Pusa hydrogel on growth and watering frequency of potted foliage plant, Arrowhead (Syngonium podophyllum Schott.)

To study the effect of Pusa hydrogel incorporated growing media on morphological characters of Syngonium podophyllum under various watering frequencies, an experiment was conducted in the Horticultural college and Research Institute, Periyakulam, Theni (Tamil Nadu). The treatments were eleven with the composition of basic pot mixture (sand, red soil and FYM at the ratio of 1:1:1), coco peat and Pusa hydrogel. The results revealed that, the media with a composition of 75% pot mixture + 25% coco peat+3g hydrogel /kg of potting media is found to be the optimum medium for potted foliage plant of Syngonium podophyllum. The watering frequency has been altered corresponding to potting media composition and in the other hand the potting media also influenced the morphological character of the plant. This study has proved that hydrogels in potting media improves the water availability and decreases the watering frequency