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Subject: Floriculture and Landscaping × Author: KAU × End date: 2015 × Start date: 2015 ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Performance analysis and combining ability studies in anthurium cultivars
    (Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2015) Sheena, A; KAU; Sabina George, T
    The investigation on “Performance analysis and combining ability studies in anthurium cultivars” was conducted at Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 2010 - 2013. The objectives were to evaluate introduced cultivars of anthurium for growth, flowering and floral attributes, to assess their compatibility with cultivars having breeding potential and to produce novel anthurium cultivars through inter-varietal hybridization. The study was conducted in two experiments and the results and salient findings are abstracted here. In experiment I, performance evaluation of nine introduced anthurium cultivars for growth and cut flower production was carried out. The cultivars exhibited differential responses in vegetative and floral characters. With respect to morphological characters the cultivars Marijke and Paradise had greater vegetative vigour, higher yields, larger spathes and greater vase life. Salmon Queen, Mozaik Fresh, Hillary, Cynthia and Elizabeth were moderate in vegetative vigour. Red Amour and Anastasia were short statured, lower in vegetative vigour and low yielders with smaller spathes. Variability studies indicated that phenotypic coefficient of variation was slightly higher than genotypic coefficient of variation for most of the characters indicating the greater influence of environment. Genotypic correlation coefficients were higher than phenotypic correlation coefficients for most of the characters. In experiment II, twenty one anthurium cultivars including the introduced ones were evaluated for their floral characters and from these, eight cultivars namely Paradise, Marijke, Mozaik Fresh, Lady Jane Pink, Orange Glory, Dragon’s Tongue, Lima White and Agnihotri Red were selected as parents for further hybridization. Significant differences in floral characters were noticed among the cultivars. The cultivars exhibited variations in the qualitative characters of spathe colour, texture, spadix colour and type and colour of the young leaf and petiole. Anthocyanin content of the spathe showed a gradation with variation in the intensity of spathe colour. Vase life of the cultivars ranged from 6.33 to 20.50 days. Peak pollen emergence was observed from October to January and absence of pollen was found from March to May. Combining ability analysis was carried out for 11 traits in which eight traits exhibited higher dominance variance and three traits had higher additive variance which indicated involvement of both additive and non-additive gene action in the inheritance of characters and suggested the importance of selection as well as hybridization for improvement of these characters. Marijke and Mozaik Fresh were good general combiners with respect to the characters number of fruits per spadix, percentage of fruit set, number of seeds and percentage of seed germination, Orange Glory and Dragon’s Tongue for days to seed maturity, days to seed germination, seedling survival and days from emergence to maturity of leaves and Paradise for percentage of fruit set, days for germination and leaf area. In vitro seed germination study revealed that surface sterilization with sodium hypochlorite 2 % for 15 minutes recorded the lowest incidence of contamination and highest survival percentage. Highest germination per cent and earlier leaf development were seen in full MS media without growth regulators. Seed germination in vitro and its further multiplication could reduce the time taken to develop new hybrids in large numbers. The hybrid plants in the field are in flowering, near flowering and pre flowering stages. Vegetative and floral characters of the 35 hybrids that flowered when compared with their parents, revealed variations in the parameters studied. Ten hybrids found promising based on qualitative evaluation of spathe and spadix characters in the present study can be further assessed for flower yield and cut flower attributes and selected for cultivation.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Morpho-molecular characterization of jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.) accessions
    (College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2015) Aswini, A; KAU; Lila, Mathew K
    India is the largest producer of jackfruit in the world (APAARI, 2012). A wide range of genetic and morphological variation has been reported in jackfruit (Ullah and Haque, 2008). In Kerala also rich genetic diversity is reported (Muthulakshmi, 2003; Amma and Kumaran, 2011). Hence it is essential to characterize the accessions at morphological and molecular levels for knowing their identity, genetic relatedness and for exploitation in future breeding programmes. The study on ‘Morpho-molecular characterization of jackfruit (Artocarpusheterophyllus L.) accessions’ was carried out at College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, Kerala from August 2013 to June 2015. The main objective of the study was to characterise the selected accessions/varieties of jackfruit based on morphological and molecular analysis. Twenty types/accessions of jack fruit maintained in the College orchard and in the Pineapple Research Centre, Vellanikkara along with the Muttom Varikka, Sindoor and Thamarachakka varieties were used for the study. All the accessions/varieties were studied for morphological, physico-chemical and organoleptic properties. Molecular characterization of the selected accessions/varieties was carried out using standard procedure and subjected to ISSR techniques. All the accessions/varieties showed variability in tree characters,inflorescence characters, fruit characters and fruit quality. At the similarity coefficient status of 30 percent, grouping of accessions was done based on tree characters,which resulted in 6 non-overlapping clusters.Tree characters viz.,tree height (4.50 m to 18.00 m), trunk girth (76.00 cm to 270.00 cm), crown shape (pyramidal, broadly pyramidal, spherical, oblong, semi-circular, elliptical and irregular), branching pattern (erect, opposite, verticillate, horizontal and irregular), leaf blade shape (obovate, elliptic, broadly elliptic, narrowly elliptic, oblong and lyrate (wavy)), leaf apex (acute, acuminate, retuse and obtuse) , leaf base shape (oblique, rounded, cuneate and shortly attenuate) , leaf length (12.34 cm to 18.02 cm) and breadth ( 6.37 cm to 9.43 cm) were observed. The accessions were grouped at the similarity coefficient status of 75per cent based on inflorescence characters, which resulted in 5 non-overlapping clusters.Time of flowering, female inflorescence density, female and male inflorescence positions, bearing habit (regular) and secondary flowering (no secondary flowering) were recorded. At the similarity coefficient status of 26 per cent, grouping of accessions was done based on fruit characters, which resulted in 5 non - overlapping clusters. Variation was observed with respect to fruiting season, fruit clustering habit, fruit number (21 to 135) , shape, surface, fruit weight (1.65 kg to 20.00 kg ), fruit yield (41.25 kg/ plant to 1593 kg/ plant), shelf life ( 3 to 5 days ), latex exudation, rind colour and thickness, core length (10.20 cm to 50.50 cm ) and thickness (2.50 cm to 13.90 cm), number of flakes (bulbs) per kg of the fruit (12.61 to 71.15), weight of flake (16.69g to 33.91g), flesh thickness ( 1.26 mm to 7.8 mm), bulb diameter (6.08 cm to 10.11 cm), shape, pulp flavour, colour and consistency, number of seeds (44 to 482), 100-seed weight (240g to 800g) and rind, flake and seed ratio (2.30 to 7.31). Sensory evaluation viz.,taste, flavour, colour, texture, sweetness and appearance were recorded on basis of 9 point hedonic scale. At the similarity coefficient status of 7 per cent, grouping of accessions was done based on biochemical characters, which resulted in 14 non - overlapping clusters.The percentage of moisture (29 to 74 %), TSS (20.30 0 Brix to 33.80 o Brix), reducing sugars (6.61 to 13.16 %) and non-reducing sugars (5.16 to 13.29 %) and β carotene (0.99 to 12.94 mg/100g) were estimated. In molecular characterization five main clusters were formed at 77 per cent similarity. The first cluster grouped four accessions (Acc. 1, Acc. 3, Acc. 5, Acc. 4). The second cluster consists of Sindoor. Third cluster consists of Thamarachakka, fourth cluster consists of Acc. 2 and MuttomVarikka and the fifth cluster consist of five accessions (Acc. 15, Acc. 17, Acc. 18, Acc. 19, and Acc. 16). First cluster included the firm fleshed jackfruit accessions whereas Cluster V included all the soft fleshed accessions. Thus in the present investigation, evaluation and characterization of twenty accessions and three varieties namely Sindoor, Muttom Varikka and Thamarachakka have been made to understand the extent of genetic diversity and similarity with the help of morphological, biochemical and molecular characters for identifying superior types for further selection. Sindoor and Muttom Varikka are the two firm fleshed varieties widely accepted in Kerala and suited for homestead cultivation. The morphological and fruit quantity and quality parameters of accessions 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14 and 15 are compared with the above varieties. But for specific purposes, desirable traits are to be employed for selection. Further studies are also required to confirm the results. Molecular markers - ISSR markers could be successfully employed in determining the texture of the jackfruit flakes (firm/soft flesh types) and also for knowing the genetic relatedness.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Evaluation of vanda orchids for commercial traits
    (College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2015) Minnu, Sebastian; KAU; Geetha, C K
    The investigation on the evaluation of Vanda orchids was conducted at the Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, during 2013-‘14 with the objective of evaluating the field performance for commercial exploitation. Thirty Vanda varieties/ hybrids were selected for the study. They were evaluated for their height, spread, shoot characters (nature, girth, internodal length), leaf characters (length, breadth, area, number, interval of leaf production, leaf sheath characters), root characters (length, girth, number), floral characters (days from spike emergence to opening, longevity of spike, interval of spike production, annual production of spike, blooming period, number of florets per spike, individual flower life, flower size, features of petal, lip and column) under field conditions, as well as post harvest parameters (spike longevity, number of buds opening in vase, physiological loss in weight, water uptake and floret span). The varieties exhibited wide variation in both vegetative and floral characters. Maximum plant height was observed in V. Pompimol and the minimum in V. Thailand Beauty. V. Kasem’s Delight x V. Bitz’s Heartthrob recorded the maximum plant spread and V. Pachara Delight Pink the minimum. Shoot girth and internodal length were the maximum in V. Taweesuksa x V. Kultana Gold x V. Green Gold and V. Pakchong New Land x V. Annette Jones, respectively while the minimum was recorded by V. Varuvathe Pink and V. Thailand Beauty, respectively. Leaf number was maximum in V. Prapawan and the minimum in V. Apec Blue. Leaf length as well as leaf area were the maximum in V. Pompimol, whereas the least values for these characters were for V. Prapawan and V. Anek Delight, respectively. V. Lumpini Red x V. Taweewan recorded the maximum leaf breadth and V. Fuchs Delight, the minimum. Interval of leaf production was the maximum in V. Katsuura x V. Fuchs Delight and the least in V. Lumpini Red x V. Taweewan. Among the vanda varieties, V. Apec Blue recorded, the maximum number of roots whereas V. Anek Delight and V. Lumpini Red x V. Taweewan had maximum root length and girth, respectively and the minimum was in V. Varuvathe Pink, V. Urbchitr x V. Bitz’s Heartthrob and V. Dr Anek x V. Bitz’s Heartthrob, respectively. The duration from spike emergence to opening of florets was the maximum in V. Urbchitr x V. Bitz’s Heartthrob. Time required for opening florets (first and 50%) was the least for V. Apec Blue and V. Anek Delight, respectively. Spike longevity was the maximum for V. Madame Rattana and the minimum for V. Anek Delight. Interval of spike production was the maximum in V. Pompimol and the minimum in V. Pranermprai x V. tessellata. Accordingly, annual spike production was the minimum in V. Pompimol and it was the highest in V. Pathum Gold. Spike characters, like length was maximum in V. Kultana Delight Red, while girth in V. Urbchitr x V. Bitz’s Heartthrob .The rachis length and number of florets were the maximum in V. Thailand Beauty and the minimum in V. Varuvathe Pink. The internodal length between florets was the maximum in V. Prapawan and the minimum in V. Red Gem. Lip length and flower size recorded the highest values in V. Pompimol whereas column length was the highest in V. Dr Anek x V. Mimi Palmer. All these characters were the lowest in V. Red Gem. The life of individual floret on the spike was the maximum for V. Katsuura x V. Fuchs Delight and the minimum in V. Pakchong New Land x V. Annette Jones. Among the post harvest characters, spike longevity (vase life) was the maximum in V. Katsuura x V. Fuchs Delight followed by V. Thailand Beauty and the minimum in V. Lumpini Red x V. Taweewan. The life span of each floret was also high in V. Katsuura x V. Fuchs Delight. The qualitative characters of vanda varieties/hybrids differed in all aspects. The leaves were channelled, smooth, rigid and green coloured, with no pigmentation. Three types of leaf apex, viz., tridentate, praemorse and emarginate were observed. The leaves were arranged alternately and were oriented as straight or horizontal with an arching tendency. Varying petal shapes and curvatures were observed. The petal margin was undulated in most of the cases and rarely entire. Uniform, spotted as well as blotched colour patterns were seen in the petals. Lip-lobe shapes and lip curvature were varying in the varieties. Lip apex was bilobed in most cases; acute or truncate apices were also noticed. Lip surface was glabrous, usually single or double coloured whereas it was triple coloured in V. Pathum Gold and V. Robert’s Delight. Lip colour pattern was uniform or streaked or spotted. The column colour pattern was uniform, streaked, blotched or spotted. Spur type was found to be cylindrical in most varieties and saccate in some. The variety V. Pranermprai x V. tessellata possessed good fragrance. Considering the overall quantitative and qualitative parameters, V. Pathum Gold, V. Lumpini Red x V. Taweewan, V. Pachara Delight Pink, V. Apec Blue, V. Prapawan, V. Urbchitr x V. Bitz’s Heartthrob and V. Thailand Beauty were excellent, both for cut flower production and as pot plants. V. Pranermprai x V. tessellata and V. Katsuura x V. Fuchs Delight have more potential for use as cut flower whereas V. Red Gem and V. Anek Delight were excellent as pot plants.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Enhancement of spike qualities of gladiolus (Gladiolus grandiflorus L.)
    (College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2015) Simmy, A M; KAU; Lila, Mathew K
    The studies on ‘Enhancement of spike qualities of Gladiolus (Gladiolus grandiflorus L)” were conducted during 2012-13 in the Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, in two seasons, from May 2012 to October 2012 (first season) and from November 2012 to April 2013 (second season). The objectives were to compare the performance of gladiolus varieties under open and rain shelter conditions and to standardize the post harvest treatments to improve the spike qualities. The three gladiolus varieties namely Oscar, Summer Sunshine and White Prosperity, were grown as per KAU recommendation, both in open field and rain shelter. Detailed observations were made on growth, flowering and post harvest characters. The study clearly indicated that growing condition, season and genotype had significant influence on vegetative as well as floral characters of gladiolus. The vegetative characters like plant height, number of leaves and leaf area were noticed to be better in rain shelter grown plants, during both seasons. Early spike emergence [Oscar (S1- 87.35 days, S2- 73.25 days), Summer Sunshine (S1- 61.90 days, S2- 56.22 days) and White Prosperity (S1- 72.05 days, S2- 62.08 days)], shorter duration from spike emergence to opening and longer blooming period [Oscar (S1- 9.03 days, S2-10.08 days), Summer Sunshine (S1- 11.68 days, S2-13.03days), and White prosperity (S1- 9.68 days, S2-12.05 days)] were noticed in rain shelter grown plants. Total duration of the crop was shorter in rain shelter during both seasons. Spike length, spike diameter, rachis length, number of florets per spike [Oscar (S1-10.35, S2-12.00), Summer Sunshine (S1-11.38, S2- 13.80) and White Prosperity (S1-9.23, S2- 11.57)], floret size and number of florets opened at a time were observed better in rain shelter grown plants, during both seasons. Vase characters were also found to be superior in rain shelter grown plants. Rain shelter grown plants of Oscar (S1-5.00 days, S2-6.00 days), Summer Sunshine (S1-6.67 days, S2- 8.67 days) and White Prosperity (S1-3.3 days, S2- 4.00 days) recorded significantly more vase life, during both seasons. Corm yield recorded were maximum in plants grown in rain shelter. Cormel yield recorded was maximum in rain shelter for Oscar and White prosperity where as for Summer Sunshine, maximum cormel yield was observed in open field. Among the varieties, Summer Sunshine had better performance with respect to most of the vegetative, spike and vase characters, compared to other varieties, both in rain shelter and open field. Oscar recorded relatively higher floret size ( S1-9.47 cm, S2-10.31 cm) as well as cormel yield ( S1- 14.71, S2- 21.63) compared to other varieties, during both seasons in both growing conditions. The results showed that spike qualities as well as corm yield can be enhanced by rain shelter cultivation. It was also noticed that November planting was found to be better than May planting, in order to obtain quality spikes as well as good corm yield in gladiolus under Vellanikkara conditions. For post harvest studies, gladiolus spikes were harvested when the first floret showed colour. Spikes were subjected to the post harvest treatments - pulsing, holding, storage and packing. Among the pulsing solutions Sucrose 20% + 8 HQC 200 ppm was found to be better than other treatments for all the varieties, with respect to percentage of fully opened florets , percentage of unopened florets, longevity of individual florets (Oscar -1.8 days, Summer Sunshine – 3.8 days and White prosperity- 2.25 days), number of florets opened at a time, water uptake and vase life.For all the varieties, holding solution of Sucrose 5% + AgNO3 50 ppm was found to record the maximum percentage of fully opened florets, longevity of individual florets, water uptake and vase life (Oscar -7 days, Summer Sunshine - 9 days and White prosperity- 7days). Maximum percentage of fully opened florets, longevity of individual florets, water uptake and vase life were observed in spikes stored at 80C, for all the varieties. The spikes packed in polypropylene sheet exhibited the highest percentage of fully opened and partially opened florets, longevity of individual florets, number of florets opened at a time, water uptake and vase life (Oscar-9 days, Summer Sunshine- 9.75 days and White prosperty- 8 days). Nature of spike bending of all the varieties was not significantly influenced by pulsing and holding solutions, packing and storage. The post harvest studies revealed that pulsing of gladiolus spikes with sucrose 20 percent and 8- HQC 200 ppm for 3 hours, packing with polypropylene sheet, storing at 80C for 24 hours and holding in Sucrose 5% + AgNO3 50 ppm solution can significantly improve the vase characters of gladiolus.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Performance of strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) in different growing conditions
    (College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2015) Anu Kurian; KAU; Ajith Kumar, K
    The study on “Performance of strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) in different growing conditions” was conducted at College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, Thrissur and Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Ambalavayal, Wayanad, Kerala from September 2013 to March 2014. The main objective was to compare the performance of strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) under three growing conditions (open field, greenhouse and fan and pad system) and under two agro ecological zones of Kerala (Central mid-lands and High ranges). Among the growth characters, plant height and plant spread were maximum in the fan and pad system in Central midlands. More number of leaves per plant was recorded under open condition. Number of leaves and plant spread were the maximum with planting in the last week of September. In High ranges, plant height and plant spread were highest in the greenhouse system and maximum number of leaves was recorded in open condition. Number of leaves per plant recorded was maximum in last week of September planting. In Central mid-lands, minimum days to first flowering (55.67 days) was recorded under fan and pad system. The systems of growing had no effect on number of flowers and number of clusters per plant. Days to first flowering was minimum (57.11 days) in plants mulched with black polyethylene. Early flowering (55.0 days) was observed when mulched with black polyethylene in fan and pad system. In High ranges, number of flowers (20.78) and number of clusters per plant (17.47) were highest under open condition. Systems of growing had no effect on days to first flowering. Plants in the open condition with black polyethylene mulch resulted in maximum number of flowers (25.85) and number of clusters per plant (21.57) per plant. Among the yield attributes, in Central midlands, fan and pad system was the best with respect to production of fruits per plant (5.87). Systems of growing had no effect on yield and average fruit weight per plant. Greenhouse was the best with respect to early harvest (82.67 days) of fruits whereas harvesting priod extended up to 163.25 days under open condition. Planting in last week of September recorded maximum number of fruits per plant (5.43). Early harvest (95.06 days) was recorded when mulched with black polyethylene. In High ranges, maximum number of fruits (8.97), yield (80.35 g), average fruit weight (8.79 g) per plant and early harvest of fruits (81.17 days) were observed in open condition. Maximum number of fruits (10.53) and highest yield (102.17 g) per plant were recorded in plants with black polyethylene mulch under open condition. In Central midlands, systems of growing had no effect on content of total soluble solids (TSS), acidity, TSS/acidity ratio. Highest total sugars (6.03%) was recorded in open condition. Time of planting and mulch had no effect on quality parameters. In High ranges, lowest acidity (0.13 %), highest TSS (11.07 0 Brix), TSS/acidity ratio (86.46) and total sugars (5.88 %) were recorded under greenhouse condition. In Central mid-lands, the overall sensory score was highest in plants in the open field which were planted in the last week of September with white mulch. However, in High ranges, the overall sensory score was highest in open filed, planted in last week of September with black polyethylene mulch. The fruits harvested from High ranges had better appearance and colour compared to fruits obtained from Central midlands.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Canopy management in foliage plants for interiorscaping
    (College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2015) Chaitanya, V; KAU; Valsalakumari, P K
    The study on “Canopy management in foliage plants for interiorscaping” was conducted during 2013-2014 in the Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara. The main objective of the study is to determine the effect of application of growth retardants on plant canopy and subsequent interior performance of selected foliage plants. Six species of foliage plants viz., Dieffenbachia amoena and Dracaena sanderiana (Upright type), Syngonium podophyllum and Scindapsus aureus (Climbing type), Ficus benjamina and Schefflera arboricola (Tree like) were selected for the study. The selected foliage plants were kept under greenhouse with 50% shade. Growth retarding chemicals viz., ancymidol, paclobutrazol, B-nine and cycocel with two concentrations each, were applied at three months and six months after planting. Observations on quantitative and qualitative characters were recorded. Chlorophyll content estimation and anatomical studies were conducted using standard procedures. The plants were shifted under indoor conditions with 800 – 2000 lux light intensity and observations were recorded as earlier. Among the quantitative characters, the plant height was lowest in T4 (paclobutrazol 100 ppm) in Syngonium podophyllum and tree like plants and in T7 (cycocel 1000 ppm) in upright plants and T2 (ancymidol 1000 ppm) in Scindapsus aureus with the highest in control. The lowest plant spread was due to T7 (cycocel 1000 ppm) in Dracaena sanderiana and T8 (cycocel 2000 ppm) in Dieffenbachia amoena with the highest in control. The lowest leaf length was observed in T3 (paclobutrazol 50 ppm) in Syngonium podophyllum and T4 (paclobutrazol 100 ppm) in Ficus benjamina compared to control. The T4 (paclobutrazol 100 ppm) had shown lowest leaf breadth in Dracaena sanderiana with a significant difference from rest of the treatments. The lowest leaf area was observed in T3 (paclobutrazol 50 ppm) in Syngonium podophyllum and T4 (paclobutrazol 100 ppm) in Scindapsus aureus and Ficus benjamina compared to control. The lowest internodal length was observed in T2 (ancymidol 1000 ppm) in Dieffenbachia amoena and Schefflera arboricola, T4 (paclobutrazol 100 ppm) in Syngonium podophyllum and Ficus benjamina and T7 (CCC 1000 ppm) in Dracaena sanderiana. The lowest petiole length was observed in T1 (ancymidol 500 ppm) in Schefflera arboricola, T3 (paclobutrazol 50 ppm) in Syngonium podophyllum and Scindapsus aureus, T7 (CCC 1000 ppm) in Dracaena sanderiana and T8 (CCC 2000 ppm) in Dieffenbachia amoena compared to control. The lowest petiole girth was observed in T4 (paclobutrazol 100 ppm) in Scindapsus aureus compared to control.The highest leaf longevity was observed in T3 (paclobutrazol 50 ppm) in Syngonium podophyllum and T4 (paclobutrazol 100 ppm) in Ficus benjamina. The number of leaves and leaf producing interval were not influenced by the treatment application. The plants were rated based on visual appearance. The highest plant quality rating based on growth and full ness was observed in T1 (ancymidol 500 ppm) and T2 (ancymidol 1000 ppm) in Scindapsus aureus, T3 (paclobutrazol 50 ppm) in Syngonium podophyllum, T4 (paclobutrazol 100 ppm) in Syngonium podophyllum, Scindapsus aureus, Ficus benjamina and Schefflera arboricola, T7 (CCC 1000 ppm) in Dieffenbachia amoena, and Dracaena sanderiana, T8 (CCC 2000 ppm) in Syngonium podophyllum and Scindapsus aureus compared to the rest of the treatments. The treatment T4 (paclobutrazol 100 ppm) has shown highest plant quality rating based on pigmentation, chlorophyll content and higher number of palisade cells per unit length in Dieffenbachia amoena, Dracaena sanderiana, Scindapsus aureus and Ficus benjamina compared to the rest of treatments. When the plants were shifted to the indoor conditions similar results were obtained. Indoor life was highest in T2 (ancymidol 1000 ppm) in Scindapsus aureus and T4 (paclobutrazol 100 ppm) in Ficus benjamina compared to the control. By the application of growth retardants the foliage plants could be made more compact which their quality as indoor plants. Chlorophyll content was increased thereby improving the appearance. Quality rating was also high in the plants treated with growth retardants. It improves the indoor life of foliage plants. Paclobutrazol 100 ppm was proven to be effective in retarding growth of selected foliage plants followed by CCC 1000 ppm, paclobutrazol 50 ppm and ancymidol 1000 ppm. As the cost of application of paclobutrazol is less, it can be used as an effective growth retardant for the improvement of quality of foliage plants. Though the cost of application of cycocel per plant is more, there will be an increase in the quality of foliage plants which in turn fetches good price in the market.