R. Priyadharshini, S. Padmapriya* and K. Rajamani
TNAU, Coimbatore – 641003
Email: spadmapriyaa@yahoo.co.in
Received-04.06.2023, Revised-14.06.2023, Accepted-27.06.2023
Abstract: The current investigation was carried out at the Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore during 2021-2022 to evaluate the performance of Heliconia genotypes under shadenet condition. Twelve Heliconia genotypes were gathered from various geographic locations of Tamil Nadu and Kerala and characterised morphologically for growth and flowering attributes. The experiment was laid out in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three replications. Five (46.66 per cent) out of twelve genotypes studied, showed quick growth, and all of the genotypes possessed open plant density, upright growth, and evergreen leaf persistence. Seven genotypes (58.33 per cent) had leaves that were noticeably green, compared to five genotypes (41.66 per cent) with moderately green leaves. Leaf blades of Six genotypes (50 per cent) had oblong shape, while six genotypes (50 per cent) had ovate shapes. All the 12 genotypes exhibited erect inflorescences, while the bract and floret colours varied differently. Among the twelve genotypes observed, the genotype G1 (H. psittacorum cv. Golden Torch) exhibited earliness in flowering ((139.33 days), greater number of stalks per plant ((3.30), highest length of the flower spike (15.67 cm) and no. of bracts/ spike (4.44), While the genotype G7 (H. psittacorum cv. Lady Di) recorded the highest no. of florets / bract (6.17)
Keywords: Heliconia, genotypes, morphological traits, evaluation, growth and flowering
REFERENCES
Berry, F. and W.J. Kress (1991). Heliconia: an identification guide. Journal of Tropical Ecology, 8(2), 203-204.
Fisher, J. B. (1976). Uses of heliconia as cutflower. Canadian J. Bot., 54: 578-592.
Goel, A. (2004). Heliconias: Nature wonders from neotropical region. J. Indian Hart., 11:20-21.
Loges, V., Castro, A., Costa, A., Verona, A., Nogueira, L., Guimarães, W., Castro, M. and Bezerra, M. (2006). The ornamental attributes of heliconia for landscape design in Brazil. XXII International Eucarpia Symposium, Section Ornamentals, Breeding for Beauty-Part II 743.
Manarangi, A., Sakai, W.S., Gerken, C., Crowell, M., Nielson, G. and Short, R. (1988). “Growth and flowering of Heliconia psittacorum cv. Parrot in Hawaii.” Journal of Hawaii Pacific Agriculture, 1:1-3.
Naik, M.D., Naik, M.R., Kadiri, L., Arunodhayam, K. and Reddy, Y.S. (2019). Flowering, physiological and biochemical responses of Heliconia genotypes under shade house conditions.Current Agriculture Research Journal,7 (3):368.
Ramachandrudu, K. and Thangam, M. (2012). Performance of Heliconia under coconut garden and open field conditions. Indian J. Hort., 69(3):450-453.
Sankari, A., Anand, M., Arulmozhiyan, R. and Kayalvizhi, K. (2016). Evaluation of Heliconia Cultivars for yield under Yercaud. Adv. Life Sci., 5(9):3528-3533.
Sultana, N. and Hassan, M. A. (2008). The Genus Heliconia L. Cultivated in Bangladesh. Bangladesh J. Plant Taxon, 15(2): 141-153.