Evaluation of ornamental bananas and bromeliads for tropical landscapes
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Date
2007
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Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara
Abstract
Performance of Bromeliads and ornamental bananas was evaluated at the Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during the period from 2005-2007. The objective of study was to evaluate their suitability under different shade levels and to recommend them for tropical landscapes, interior plantscapes and explore the possibility of production of novel varieties by irradiation and hybridization. Nine Bromeliads and six ornamental bananas were selected for the study. Results of the investigation revealed that among the Bromeliads, Aechmea fasciata, Ananas bracteatus, Bromelia balansae and Dyckia brevifolia can be grown under both open and 50 per cent shade. Aechmea fasciata looked more attractive under shaded condition, but flowering was observed under open condition only. When the temperature was above 34°C, sun scorching was observed on leaves. In Ananas bracteatus the colour of the leaf was more pronounced under open condition but the number of leaves and length and breadth of leaves were more under 50 per cent shade. In Dyckia brevifolia the number of leaves and suckers produced was more under open condition. Though maroon colour was more pronounced under open condition it developed an acceptable colour under shade also. Bromelia balansae looked attractive both under 50 per cent shade and open. Ananas nanus, Billbergia pyramidalis, Cryptanthus zonatus, C.bivittatus and C. bromelioides are suited only under shade with respect to their vegetative and floral characters. In Ananas nanus and Billbergia pyramidalis, longer inflorescences were produced under shaded condition. In Billbergia pyramidalis, it was a desirable character but in Ananas nanus it leads to toppling down of the inflorescence. Performance of Cryptanthus species was better under 50 per cent and 75 per cent shade with respect to the vegetative characters and attractiveness of the plant. The plant looked attractive only under shaded condition. Under open condition sun scorching was observed. Pitcarnea flammea and Tillandsia stricta are suited for open condition than under 50 per cent shade. Pitcarnea flammea flowered only under open condition. The plant is attractive with its flowers only. In Tillandsia stricta the vegetative characters and the colour of the leaves were better under open condition. Flowering was also observed only under open condition. Performance of Bromeliads like Billbergia pyramidalis and Pitcarnea flamea under different media revealed that the growth was better in the media containing equal proportion of sand + vermicompost + cocopeat and coarse sand + sand + vermicompost + cocopeat. These media containing organic matter supplied nutrients and coarse sand provided good drainage revealed that Bromeliads responded well if grown under suitable media. It can also be grown in coconut husk, for display in hanging baskets. Under 50 per cent shade the ornamental bananas looked lanky, less robust with reduced leaf size. Ornamental bananas like Musa oranata, Musa laterita and Ensete ventricosum can better be grown in pots under open condition than under shade. Ensete ventricosum was the best suitable for growing in pots because of its paddle shaped, attractive, glossy green leaves with pink midrib. Under open condition the performance of Musa ornata, M. laterita and Ensete ventricosum were good with respect to vegetative characters. The plants looked robust and flowering was also observed in Musa ornata and M. laterita. The number of bracts and size of the male and female flowers were more for Musa ornata compared to M. laterita, but the number of male flowers was produced more in Musa laterita. M. ornata, M. laterita and Ensete ventricosum can be recommended as landscape plants under tropical areas. Under indoor condition Billbergia pyramidalis performed better compared to Pitcarnea flammea and Tillandsia stricta. It can be kept as potted foliage plant for a period of 47 days. Maximum vase life was recorded for Ananas nanus followed by Pitcarnea flammea and minimum for Billbergia pyramidalis. Musa ornata recorded a vase life of two days. Among these Ananas nanus can be used in flower arrangements, since it has substantially long vase life (19 days). With a view to explore the possibility of improvement by hybridization, pollen fertility and compatibility studies were conducted in Musa sp. The viability of pollen grains was more for Musa ornata (84.0%) compared to Musa laterita (77.0%). They were also compatible and hybrid seedlings were also produced which revealed that new varieties can be evolved and they have great potential for use as landscape plants under tropical areas. Irradiation studies were conducted in Bromeliads and Musa sp. for induction of variability. In Bromeliads, suckers of Billbergia pyramidalis subjected to gamma rays @ 25 Gy gave rise to plants with lesser height, leaf length and leaf breadth. Suckers of Tillandsia stricta did not sprout and all remained healthy. Induction of gamma rays @ 20 Gy on seeds of ornamental bananas resulted in earlier germination. The rhizomes subjected to irradiation did not sprout and all remained healthy even eight months after the treatment. Table 13b. Visual scoring of Bromeliads Sl. No. Name Characters (Score out of 10) Colour and pigmentation of leaves Symptoms of sun scroaching Overall appearance Total score 50% shade Open 50% shade Open 50% shade Open 50% shade Open 1 Aechmea fasciata 7.0 5.0 10.0 2.0 9.0 5.0 26.0 12.0 2 Ananas nanus 8.0 8.0 10.0 10.0 3.0 8.0 21.0 26.0 3 Ananas bracteatus 7.0 8.0 10.0 10.0 7.0 9.0 25.0 27.0 4 Billbergia pyramidalis 8.0 5.0 10.0 5.0 9.0 6.0 27.0 16.0 5 Bromelia balansae 9.0 9.0 10.0 10.0 7.0 7.0 26.0 26.0 6 Cryptanthus zonatus 4.0 3.0 2.0 0.0 2.0 0.0 8.0 3.0 7 Cryptanthus bivittatus 7.0 2.0 10.0 1.0 9.0 1.0 26.0 4.0 8 Cryptanthus bromelioides 7.0 2.0 10.0 1.0 9.0 1.0 26.0 4.0 9 Dyckia brevifolia 9.0 9.0 10.0 10.0 9.0 9.0 28.0 28.0 10 Pitcarnea flammea 7.0 9.0 10.0 9.0 4.0 8.0 21.0 26.0 11 Tillandsia stricta 6.0 9.0 10.0 10.0 5.0 10.0 21.0 29.0
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172657