EVALUATION OF EUSTOMA/LISIANTHUS CULTIVARS FOR ASSESSING THEIR SUITABILITY AS PROMINENT NEW CUT FLOWER CROP UNDER MID HILL CONDITIONS OF H.P.

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2 Int. J. Agric.Sc & Vet.Med J S Wazir, 2014 Research Paper ISSN Vol. 2, No. 1, February All Rights Reserved EVALUATION OF EUSTOMA/LISIANTHUS CULTIVARS FOR ASSESSING THEIR SUITABILITY AS PROMINENT NEW CUT FLOWER CROP UNDER MID HILL CONDITIONS OF H.P. J S Wazir 1* *Corresponding Author: J S Wazir, wazirjs@yahoo.co.in Lisianthus/Eustoma has emerged as one of the top ten cut flower crops in international flower trade during the past few years. It is a prominent cut flower from Japan where it has been in cultivation since The main reason behind its growing popularity is the range of varieties available as different series with vast charming colour shades, flower shapes, suited for growing under varying agro climatic conditions, having a good vase life. Studies carried out at H.R.S & T. Kandaghat and on the farmers fields with Echo Double series, Roshita series and Flamenco series from Sakata Seeds, Japan and 10 new double flowering cultivars from Miyoshi Seeds, Japan during have indicated that pelleted seed sowing of Lisianthus was basically done in conventional germination media containing sieved soil, FYM, leaf mould, coco peat and sand in 98 cavity plastic plug trays. The initial germination percentage obtained was 90% but the final seedling survival was only 68 percent. Final transplanting of seedlings was done after days of sowing. Responses obtained from growers have indicated that Lisianthus took approximately 6 months to come into full bloom under mid hill conditions. April sown seed resulted in flowering stems after days of sowing in September, followed by a second flush in October- November. Sakata cvs. Echo double having various colour shades and Roshita pink produced comparatively smaller and thin stems when compared to all the Miyoshi cultivars. Cultivars brought from Miyoshi seeds were much better because of the attractive colour shades and good stem length due to their recent breeding origin. Cultivars Art Marine, Bolero Blue Picottee, Gavotte Yellow, Purple Flamingo and Bolero white from Miyoshi seeds have been liked by the Indian customers after the feedback received from the producers and the sellers and thus are recommended for commercial growing in mid hill areas as spring to autumn crop. Keywords: Eustoma, Lisianthus, Evaluation, Cultivars, Protected cultivation INTRODUCTION Lisianthus/Eustoma is one of the newer flower species brought on to the world market and more recently to the Indian market. Although introduced into Europe from the USA (Nebraska and Louisiana) in 1835 as a garden plant, it was not 1 Regional Horticultural Research & Training Station, Mashobra, Shimla , India. 105

3 until the 1980 s that it was introduced as a cutflower, thanks to improved breeding results mainly from Japan (Halevy and Kofranek, 1984). Nowadays there is a large choice of colours in different shades and combinations. There is a lot of enthusiasm in the Indian market for this product; the flower has a stem 60 to 80 cm long and carries numerous flowers per stem. There is also a good export market. The Dutch auction alone trades about 10 million stems a month; 6 million singleflowered and 4 million double-flowered varieties. Lisianthus has emerged as one of the top ten cut flower crops in international flower trade during the past few years. It is a prominent cut flower from Japan where it has been in cultivation since 1960 (Ohkawa and Sasaki, 1996). In the past two decades, its cultivation has caught up in other countries like USA, Netherlands, Europe, Israel and South Africa. The main reason behind its growing popularity is the range of varieties available as different series with vast charming colour shades, flower shapes, suited for growing under varying agro climatic conditions, having a good vase life. Since it is mainly grown through hybrid seed developed by private flower seed multinational companies like Sakata Seeds, Japan, Miyoshi seeds, Japan, Pan American Seed Company, USA and Gold Smith Seeds, USA, it has spread to other parts of the world including India at a faster speed. In Himachal Pradesh, the moderate areas falling with in an altitude range of meters above mean sea level have been found congenial after two tear trials and with more comprehensive studies involving cultivars suitable for growing under warmer locations in the present studies, the possibilities of its commercial protected cultivation under warmer areas will also be exploited by standardizing the agro techniques needed for its successful cultivation. The main problems that farmers have faced so far in Lisianthus cultivation are non availability of planting material of thick and long stemmed cultivars having long vase life that can also stand long distance transportation and lack of technical know how about standard cultural practices and post harvest procedures. Introduction of desirable cultivars having long vase life and good market acceptability will certainly help to popularize their cultivation under open and protected conditions. Lisianthus is a potential cut flower crop after carnation, lilium and rose whose cultivation under mid hill conditions can help in flower crop diversification. MATERIALS AND METHODS The present investigations were carried out at demonstration farms of Horticultural Research and Training Station, Kandaghat-Solan at an altitude of 1000 m amsl and on the farmers fields located at vill. Mahog Chail (1800 m amsl), Vill. Sakog Chail (1500 m amsl) and at Vill. Dangheel Salogra (1200 m amsl) during the period of two years staring from April 2011 to August Four hybrid colour variants of cv. Echo double (Yellow, Lavender, Champagne and White), Flamenco Blue and Roshita Pink form Sakata Seeds, Japan and ten hybrid cultivars namely, Art Marine, Bolero Blue Picottee, Bolero White, Luna Rose, Gavotte Yellow, Nightingale, Papillon Pink Flash, Purple Flamingo, Shallot Green and Minuet Apricot Rose from Miyoshi seeds, Japan were evaluated for growth, flowering and vase life characters. The hybrid seed of all these cultivars was raised on 2/4/2011 in a conventional germination media containing sieved soil, FYM, leaf mould, coco peat and sand in 98 cavity plastic plug trays and in a finely sieved coco peat, perlite and vermiculite in equal proportions. Seed was placed on surface and was not covered. Average day temperatures 106

4 and relative humidity ranged from C and 85-95% respectively. Germination started on and was completed by The initial germination percentage obtained was 90% both at farmers fields and at experimental farms of HRS & T, Kandaghat but the final seedling survival was only 75-80% in both the seed media. The seedlings after 30 days of sowing were fertilized with liquid water soluble fertilizers like NPK 1 g/l and Calcium g/l at weekly intervals because the initial seedling development is very slow and thus fertilization is extremely important. Final transplanting of seedlings having five pairs of true leaves was done in poly houses after days of sowing. The plants were spaced at 15 cm (plant to plant) and 20 cm (from row to row) in a well prepared and sterilized bed and usually four to five row planting per bed was followed, thereby accommodating plants per square meter. Single pinch was performed on each seedling on the farmers fields after days of transplanting under poly house conditions and two tier staking system with nylon mesh as used in case of carnation crop proved sufficient. Responses obtained from this crop have indicated that Lisianthus took approximately 6 months to come into full bloom under mid hill conditions. April sown seed resulted in flowering crop in September end (after 150 to 185 days of seed sowing) with the following second flush in October-November (after days). The crop being grown at HRS & T, Kandaghat was half pinched and half of the plants were not pinched to assess the full flowering behavior of all the cultivars. No disbudding was done on all the cultivars. The plant height was recorded at full maturity just before the opening of first terminal flower bud. Days to visible bud formation were noted when the first upper terminal bud started showing colour and other lower buds had no colour. Days to flowering were recorded when at least 2-3 upper buds were fully open and the crop was ready for harvesting. The number of flower buds per plant, flower size and stem length were recorded just before harvesting. Vase life of all the cultivars was recorded by harvesting the crop and then bringing the cut stems to grading shed and by putting all the stems of various cultivars in holding solution containing water and 3% sucrose. The stems were kept in this holding solution for 3-4 hours and then wrapped in cellophane sheets and packed in card board boxes and kept in a room at normal room temperature. After 15 hours, the stems were taken out of card board boxes and unwrapped and again kept in a vase solution containing 2% sucrose and water so as to record the final observations related to vase life. Average performance of selected eustoma cultivars with respect to important vegetative, floral and vase life characters was recorded from farmers fields and HRS & T, Kandaghat farms and is tabulated in Tables 1 and 2. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The Table 1 shows that Sakata cvs. Echo double having various colour shades and Roshita Pink produced comparatively smaller and thin stems when compared to all the Miyoshi cultivars. The Flamenco Blue cultivar of sakata seeds although produced taller and thick stems but its flowers were single petalled and thus got defeated on this front as Indian domestic floriculture market is looking for tall stemmed double flowering (multi petalled) cultivars having attractive colour shades. Cultivars brought from Miyoshi seeds were much better because of the attractive colour shades and good stem length due to their recent breeding origin. Cultivars Art Marine, Bolero Blue Picottee, Gavotte Yellow, Purple Flamingo and Bolero White from Miyoshi seeds have been liked by the 107

5 Table 1: Characteristics of Evaluated Eustoma Cultivars S. No. Cultivar Name and Company Colour Cropping Season Flower Stem After Pinching 1. Echo double (Sakata seeds, Japan) Lavender April to November Double Thin stems and medium height (45-55 cm tall) 2. Echo double (Sakata seeds, Japan) Yellow April to November Double Thin stems and medium height (45-55 cm tall) 3. Echo double (Sakata seeds, Japan) Champagne April to November Double Thin stems and medium height (45-55 cm tall) 4. Echo double (Sakata seeds, Japan) White April to November Double Thin stems and medium height (45-55 cm tall) 5. Flamenco (Sakata seeds, Japan) Blue April to November Single an Thick, sturdy and tall stems (80-90 cm) 6. Roshita (Sakata seeds, Japan) Pink Double Moderately thick and cm tall stems 7. Art Marine (Miyoshi seeds, Japan) White/purple April to November Double with Moderately thick and edge green center cm tall stems 8. Boler Blue Picottee (Miyoshi seeds, White/purple April to November Double with Moderately thick and Japan) edge green center cm tall stems 9. Bolero White (Miyoshi seeds, Japan) White April to November Double with Moderately thick and green center cm tall stems 10. Luna Rose (Miyoshi seeds, Japan) Rose April to November Double with Moderately thick and black center cm tall stems 11. Gavotte Yellow (Miyoshi seeds, Japan) Light Yellow April to November Double with Moderately thick and green center cm tall stems 12. Nightingale (Miyoshi seeds, Japan) Light Red April to November Double with Moderately thick and black center cm tall stems 13. Papillon Pink Flash (Miyoshi seeds, Pink Flash April to November Double, Moderately thick and Japan) comparatively cm tall stems smaller sized flowers with green center 14. Purple Flamingo (Miyoshi seeds, Purple April to November Double larger Moderately thick and Japan) flowers with cm tall stems black center 15. Shallot Green (Miyoshi seeds, Japan) Light Green April to November Double, Moderately thick and comparatively cm tall stems smaller sized flowers with green center 16. Minuet Apricot Rose (Miyoshi seeds, Light Rose April to November Double, Moderately thick and Japan) comparatively cm tall stems smaller sized flowers with black center Note: The non pinched plants of all these cultivars were at least cm tall. 108

6 Table 2: Evaluation of Pinched Eustoma for Vegetative, Floral and Vase Life Characters Under Mid Hill Conditions of H.P Treatments/Cultivars Plant Height at Maturity Days to Visible Flower Bud Days to Flowering No. of Flower Buds per Plant (Three Stems/Plant) Flower Size (cm) Stem Length (cm) and No. of Cut Stems/ Plant Vase Life (Days) Echo double Lavender Echo double Yellow Echo double Champagne Echo double White Flamenco Blue Roshita Pink Art Marine White/Purple edge Bolero Blue Picottee Bolero White Luna Rose Gavotte Yellow Nightingale Red Papillon Pink Flash Purple Flamingo Shallot Green Note: The second flush of flowers was obtained 35 to 55 days after harvesting of the first crop in case of April sown seed. Indian customers after the feedback received from the producers and the sellers and thus are recommended for commercial growing in mid hill areas as spring to autumn crop. The data presented in Table 2 revealed that cultivar Flamenco Blue having single flowers produced the maximum plant height (94.5 cm) followed by the cv. Purple Flamingo (88.5 cm). The differences in plant height of various cultivars are mainly due to the diverse genetic make up and origin of each cultivar. Minimum days to visible flower bud and flowering were reported in cv. Echo Double Lavender (142.5) and (170.4) where as the cultivar Art Marine took maximum time to form visible flower buds (159.4) and also was the latest to flower (187.6). In general, eustoma requires a time of days from visible bud formation stage to full bloom. Maximum number of flower buds per plant were obtained in cvs Luna Rose (18.6) and Shallot Green (18.5) which again is due to different genetic make up of the cultivars. Both these cultivars had smaller sized flowers. Cultivars Gavotte Yellow and Bolero White resulted in maximum flower size (9.2 and 9.0 cm respectively) owing to their double character where as cv Flamenco Blue had the smallest flower size ( 5.7 cm) because of its single petals. In case of single flowering cultivars, Flamenco Blue produced the tallest stems (85.5 cm) where as in case of double cultivars, tallest stems were produced by Purple Flamingo and Gavotte Yellow (75.5 and 74.5 cm respectively). Maximum vase life of 18.5 and 18.2 days was recorded with cvs Art Marine and Bolero white respectively which has fully been supported by the work of Kuang- Liang Huang (2002). 109

7 CONCLUSION In our studies with eustoma for a period of two years, we have found that it is one of the most potential and remunerative cut flower crop after carnation and rose whose cultivation under protected conditions of mid hills opens up vast opportunities for our hard working poly house growers. The cultivars selected by us for undertaking these studies although have given our farmers encouraging responses but still there exists a strong scope for selection of more potent summer and autumn flowering cultivars having all the favourable attributes like attractive colour, single/double character, rosette tolerance, long vase life with tall and sturdy stems especially for mid hill conditions. The selected growers who took up its cultivation on our motivation are still strongly persisting with this crop and are constantly demanding better commercial cultivars fit for growing under mid hill zone. In fact, most of these growers raised their own plugs/seedlings in two years in addition to the propagules which we supplied to them free of cost out of the funds received under NABARD funded project. The growers of eustoma for achieving better stem/ flower quality can grow non pinched plants. The higher prices of non pinched stems can compromise for more number of stems obtained otherwise through pinching. The cultivation of eustoma in the warmer areas of our state and other similar climatic zones strictly demands more comprehensive research on this crop where refinement studies in the existing suitable cultivars for warmer zones can be undertaken because the most appropriate time for flowering of eustoma in these areas would be spring time. So we should look for those cultivars which are typical spring bloomers and have got strong tolerance for heat induced rosette problem which occurs basically under regime of high day and night temperatures. Minimum two flushes in the first year have been obtained with the strong possibility of repeating the same crop in the second year. Thus, eustoma can also become a ratoon crop just like carnation at least in mid hill zone of H.P. and similar climatic areas. REFERENCES 1. Halevy A H and Kofranek A M (1984), Evaluation of Lisianthus as a New Crop, Hort. Sci., Vol. 19, No. 6, pp Kuang-Liang Huang (2002), BA and Sucrose Increase Vase Life of Cut Eustoma Flowers, Hort. Sci., Vol. 37, No. 3, pp Miyoshi Seeds Japan ( ), Flower Catalogue. 4. Ohkawa K and Sasaki E (1996), Eustoma (Lisianthus) Its Past, Present and Future, Published in Proceedings of International Symposium on Cut Flowers in the Tropics. 5. Sakata Seeds Japan ( ), Flower Seed Catalogue. 6. Wazir J S (2013), Standardisation of Agro Techniques for Commercial Cultivation of Lisianthus/Eustoma and Zantedeschia Under Mid Hill Conditions of Himachal Pradesh, Submitted to National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development, Kasumpti Head Office, Shimla, H.P. 110

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