Off-Season Flower Induction of ‘Praying Mantis Ginger’ Larsenianthus Careyanus (Benth.) W.J. Kress & Mood (Zingiberaceae) Through Low Temperature and Night Break

Subject Areas : Journal of Ornamental Plants

K. M.  Prabhu Kumar ¹ (Department of Botany, University of Calicut, Kerala – 673635, India Centre for Medicinal Plants Research, Arya Vaidya Sala, Kottakkal – 676 503, Kerala, India)
V. P.  Thomas ² (Department of Botany, University of Calicut, Kerala – 673635, India Department of Botany, Catholicate College, Pathanamthitta, Kerala, Pin- 689645)
M.  Sabu ³ (Department of Botany, University of Calicut, Kerala – 673635, India)
K. V.  Mohanan ⁴ (Centre for Medicinal Plants Research, Arya Vaidya Sala, Kottakkal – 676 503, Kerala, India)

Received: 2015-08-08 Accepted : 2015-08-08 Published : 2014-06-01

Keywords: Hitchenia Careyana, Larsenianthus Careyanus, Night Break, Off-Season Flowering, Zingiberaceae,

Abstract :

The experiment was carried out to study the impact of chilling and night break on the flowering of ornamental plants in their off-season period. Larsenianthus careyanus (Benth.) W.J. Kress & Mood is a wild potential ornamental ginger naturally growing in the evergreen forest of North Eastern states of India was selected for the current study. The rhizomes were collected and stored at 15oC for 8 months during March to October. The sprouted rhizomes after chilling treatment were planted at regular interval and sprouted plants were transferred to greenhouse with controlled light during night hours using incandescent lamp to extend flower production from December to March. Off-season flowering was observed during January to March. A detailed morphological analysis of 23 attributes of plants under study was recorded.