EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT AMENDED ORGANIC MEDIA ON THE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF VINCA ROSEA VICTORY

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1 Sarhad J. Agric. Vol.27, No.2, EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT AMENDED ORGANIC MEDIA ON THE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF VINCA ROSEA VICTORY ABDUL MATEEN KHATTAK*, IZHAR AHMAD*, NOOR UL AMIN*, FAZAL WAHID* and HABIB UR RAHMAN** * Department of Horticulture, Agriculture University, Peshawar Pakistan. ** Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Gomal University, D.I. Khan Pakistan. ABSTRACT An experiment titled effects of different amended organic media on the growth and development of Vinca rosea Victory was conducted during 2007 at Ornamental Nursery of Horticulture Department, KPK Agricultural University Peshawar. Rooted cuttings of vinca were planted in 20 cm clay pots containing 3 types of growing media i.e. control (silt, garden soil and farmyard manure at 1:1:1), leaf mould (leaf mould + silt at 1:1) and mushroom compost (spent mushroom compost + silt at 1:1). The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with four replications. Data were recorded for various growth and development parameters of vinca plants. When parameters of plants in mushroom media were compared (at α = 0.05) with those in control, the plants grown in mushroom compost growing media produced significantly higher leaf area (596.1 cm 2 ), leaf fresh weight (81.3 g), shoot fresh weight (132.5 g), shoot dry weight (22.1 g), root fresh weight (29.3 g) and root dry weight (4.5 g), and took minimum days to sprouting (11.0). On the other hand, plants grown in control medium produced higher number of branches (5.05). Overall, mushroom compost proved to be the best for Vinca rosea Victory production. Key Words: Periwinkle, Vinca rosea, Catharanthus roseus, vinca victory, growing media Citation: Khattak, A.M., I. Ahmad, N.U. Amin, F. Wahid and H.U. Rahman Effects of different amended organic media on the growth and development of vinca roesa victory. Sarhad J. Agric. 27(2): INTRODUCTION Periwinkle (Vinca rosea victory syn. Catharanthus roseus victory ) popularly known as Vinca Victory in the gardening community belongs to Apocynaceae family. It is an interesting ornamental plant with a very high medicinal value (Papon et al. 2005; Shaw et al. 2009). For example, it can cure diseases like leukemia and diabetes (Chattopadhyay et al. 1992, Singh et al. 2001, El-Sayeed and Verpoorte, 2005). Periwinkle plant is native to Madagascar, an island off the African coast. It is well adapted to hot, dry weather and needs bright sunshine and well-drained soil. The plant can easily withstand prolonged summer heat and does well in a low fertility environment. Vinca requires long periods of bright light and warm conditions to produce strong roots. It does not like high levels of nutrients in soil especially nitrogen and phosphorus. Long term (4-6 weeks) exposure to nitrogen in soil can strongly inhibit vinca root growth and will promote stem stretch under warm, moist soil conditions (Jacque et al. 1992). Strojny (1981) noted that for vinca, the growth medium that contained the bark in compost form was more beneficial for plant growth than either peat or farmyard manure, but the flower size was not affected. Fernandez (1984) observed that the plants growing in Lapithine + peat (1:1) substrates were taller than the ones in other media. Grantz and Scharof (1984) stated that lingostrat + white peat produced the largest and heaviest plants, and the bark compost appeared to be satisfactory substitute for conventional material. Richer (1985) reported that the best media for raising ornamental plants was peat moss + sand. This media was also superior to sylvagrest perlite mixture. Trochoulias and Burton (1985) reported that sand + rice husk media when used for propagation of cuttings in ornamental plants showed significantly greater vigour even after 51 days than in sand alone, and the growth rate was also higher. Latimer et al. (1991) reported that vinca gave poor growth in different growing media due to very wet or very cold conditions and poor genetic vigor of cultivars etc. Ismail and Awang (1995) observed the growth and flowering of periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus) grown in different growing media containing varying percentage of coconut dust and tropical peat (100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75 and 100%, v/v). Plants grown in 100% peat were the shortest and accumulated the least amount of dry matter. In Pakistan and especially in Peshawar vinca is very successfully grown as a summer annual flower plant. It has a long growing and flowering season stretching from March to November. The warm and bright summer environment of this area suits very well to this brilliant plant. It will grow as a perennial if protected from chilling

2 Abdul Mateen Khattak et al. Effects of different amended organic media on the growth 202 injury during winter months. It is grown as pot as well as bedding plant and also performs best as a ground cover. It also has many medicinal uses, which need further exploration. The present experiment was conducted to determine the most suitable organic growing medium for the better production of vinca victory. MATERIALS AND METHODS The growth and development of vinca victory was studied in 3 growing media at Ornamental Nursery of Department of Horticulture at Agricultural University, Peshawar, Pakistan during The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three treatments replicated four times as follows: i. Control (silt + soil + FYM at 1:1:1) ii. Mushroom compost (spent mushroom compost + silt at 1:1) iii. Leaf mould (leaf mould + silt at 1:1) Clay pots of 20 cm size were filled with the required media. Rooted cuttings of Vinca rosea Victory were planted (one per each pot) on March 28, The plants were watered and left to establish in the pots for 12 days and then cut back to 6 cm (on April 9, 2007) so that a new uniform growth could be studied under the new media conditions. There were three media treatments with four plants per treatment replicated four times. In this way a total of 48 plants were incorporated in the experiment. The plants were allowed to grow till August All the media were analyzed for their chemical characteristics. The results are presented in (Table I). Table-I Chemical characteristics of amended organic growing media used in the experiment. Phosphorus (P) and potash (K) were determined using ABDTPA test. N is the total nitrogen present in the sample Medium ph EC (dsm -1 ) OM (%) N (mg kg -1 ) P (mg kg -1 ) K (mg kg -1 ) Control Leaf mould M. compost Data Collection During the course of the study data were recorded on parameters such as days to sprouting, number of branches, number of leaves, leaf area, leaf fresh weight, leaf dry weight, leaf specific weight, number of flowers, flower size, shoot fresh weight, shoot dry weight, number of roots, root length, root fresh weight, root dry weight and plant height. For dry weights the plant materials were kept in electric oven (set at 70ºC) for three days and then the dry weight was recorded. Leaf area was measured with leaf area meter. Leaf specific weight (LSW) (the dry leaf weight per unit area) which represents the thickness of the leaf was calculated by dividing the total leaf dry weight with the total leaf area (i.e. LSW = Total leaf weight/total leaf area). Plant height was measured with a measuring tape from soil surface to the tops of three highest branches in each plant of each treatment and then the average was calculated. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Days to Sprouting The days to sprouting data in (Table II) indicated that vinca plants grown in control medium took 3 more days to sprout when compared to the plants grown under mushroom media. The increase was significant at 99% level of probability. The mean difference in number of days to sprout between plants grown under leaf mould vs control was not significant. Plants grown in mushroom compost took minimum days to sprouting (11.0) but were closely followed by those grown in leaf mould (11.5 days), whereas, the plants grown in control medium took maximum days (14.0) to sprouting. Table-II Effect of growing media on days to sprouting, number of branches and number of leaves in Vinca rosea victory Growing media Days to sprouting Number of branches Number of leaves Control 14.0 A 5.05 a Mushroom Compost 11.0 B 3.82 b Leaf Mould 11.5 AB 3.95 b LSD values Values followed by different letters are significantly different at P 0.01 (upper case) and P 0.05 (lower case) level according to Least Significant Difference (LSD) test.

3 Sarhad J. Agric. Vol.27, No.2, The maximum days to sprouting by vinca plants in control media may be attributed to the low nutritional status of the media. In addition, it may also be due to low water and nutrients holding capacity. On the other hand, the minimum days to sprouting in mushroom compost could be due to the rich nutritional status and high retention of water and nutrients. Number of Branches The number of branches produced by plants under control medium (5.05) was significantly higher (at 95% level of probability) than those under mushroom or leaf mould media (Table II). Leaf mold and mushroom compost were at par with each other producing minimum branches (3.95 and 3.82). Number of Leaves The different growing media had no significant effect on the number of leaves (Table II). However, plants grown in mushroom compost produced maximum (153.6), and those in leaf mould produced minimum (147.2) leaves. Leaf Area (cm 2 ) Plant grown in mushroom compost and leaf mould media had significantly (α = 0.05) higher leaf area (cm 2 ) than those grown in control medium (Table III). The maximum leaf area, however, was recorded in plants grown in mushroom compost (596.1 cm 2 ). It was closely followed by plants grown in leaf mold with a leaf area of cm 2, whereas, minimum leaf area (476.5 cm 2 ) was recorded in plants grown in control. Maximum leaf area in mushroom compost may be due to the fact that this media provided more nutrients required by the plants compared to other media. Leaf Fresh Weight (g) The leaf fresh weight results followed similar pattern as leaf area. Plant grown in mushroom compost and leaf mould media had significantly (α = 0.01) higher leaf fresh weight than those in control medium (Table III). The maximum leaf fresh weight was recorded in plants grown in mushroom compost (81.3 g). It was closely followed by plants grown in leaf mould with leaf fresh weight of 80.2 g, whereas, minimum leaf fresh weight (64.8 g) was recorded in plants grown in control. Table-III Effect of growing media on leaf area, leaf fresh weight and leaf dry weight in Vinca rosea victory Growing media Leaf area (cm 2 ) Leaf fresh weight (g) Leaf dry weight (g) Control b 64.8 B 9.4 Mushroom Compost a 81.3 A 10.0 Leaf Mould a 80.2 A 10.6 LSD values Values followed by different letters are significantly different at P 0.01 (upper case) and P 0.05 (lower case) level according to LSD test. Leaf Dry Weight (g) The different growing media had no significant effect on the leaf dry weight (Table III). However, plants grown in leaf mold produced maximum leaf dry weight (10.6 g) and those grown in control medium resulted in minimum (9.4 g) leaf dry weight. Although the results were not significant, however, the leaf dry weights results followed similar trend as leaf fresh weights results. Leaf Specific Weight (mg cm -2 ) The different growing media had no significant effect on the leaf specific weight (Table IV). However, plants grown in control medium produced maximum (19.8 mg) and those in mushroom compost produced minimum (16.8 mg) leaf specific weight. Although the data were not significant, however, it appeared that mushroom compost produced thinner leaves. Table-IV Effect of growing media on leaf specific weight, number of flowers and flower size in Vinca rosea victory Growing media Leaf specific weight (mg cm -2 ) Number of flowers Flower size (cm) Control a 3.8 ab Mushroom Compost ab 4.1 a Leaf Mould b 3.5 b LSD values Values followed by different letters are significantly different at P 0.05 level according to LSD test.

4 Abdul Mateen Khattak et al. Effects of different amended organic media on the growth 204 Number of Flowers Plant grown in control and mushroom compost media had significantly (α = 0.05) higher number of flowers than those grown in leaf mould medium (Table IV). The maximum number of flowers was recorded in the plants grown in control medium (44.8 flowers). It was closely followed by plants grown in mushroom compost, producing 41.8 flowers, whereas, minimum flowers (39.9) were produced by plants grown in leaf mould. The maximum number of flowers in control may be because of lower concentration of nutrients in control as comnpared to the other media. This lower concentration of nutrienets in control was probably adequate for flowers production. On the other hand, the other two media had more nutrients which promoted vegetative growth rather than reproductive one. Flower Size (cm) Plant grown in mushroom compost and control media attained significantly (α = 0.05) higher flower size (diameter) than those grown in leaf mould medium (Table IV). The maximum flower size was recorded in plants grown in mushroom compost medium (4.1 cm). It was closely followed by plants grown in control medium producing 3.8 cm diameter, whereas, minimum flower size (3.5 cm) was recorded in those grown in leaf mould. Shoot Fresh Weight (g) Plant grown in mushroom compost and leaf mould media had significantly (α = 0.001) higher shoot fresh weight (g) than those grown in control medium (Table V). The maximum shoot fresh weight was recorded in plants grown in mushroom compost medium (132 g). It was closely followed by the plants grown in leaf mould medium (132.0 g), whereas, minimum shoot fresh weight (111.4 g) was recorded in plants that were grown in control medium. Table-V Effect of growing media on shoot fresh weight, shoot dry weight and plant height in Vinca rosea victory Growing media Shoot fresh weight (g) Shoot dry weight (g) Plant height (cm) Control B 20.6 B 16.6 Mushroom Compost A 22.1 A 19.8 Leaf Mould A 22.0 A 18.9 LSD values Values followed by different letters are significantly different at P 0.01 level according to LSD test. Shoot Dry Weight (g) Plant grown in mushroom compost and leaf mould media had significantly (α = 0.01) higher shoot dry weight (g) than those grown in control medium (Table V). The maximum shoot dry weight was recorded in plants grown in mushroom compost medium (22.1 g). It was closely followed by the plants grown in leaf mould medium (22.0 g), whereas, minimum shoot dry weight (20.6 g) was recorded in plants that were grown in control medium. The shoot dry weight followed similar pattern as the shoot fresh weight. Plant Height (cm) The different growing media had no significant effect on plant height (Table V). However, plants grown in mushroom compost attained maximum plant height (19.8 cm) and those grown in control medium resulted in minimum plant height (16.6 cm). Number of Roots Plant grown in mushroom compost and control media had significantly (α = 0.01) higher number of roots than those grown in leaf mould medium (Table VI). The maximum number of roots was recorded in plants grown in mushroom compost medium (14.2). It was closely followed by the plants grown in control medium (12.9 roots), whereas, the minimum number of roots (11.1) was recorded in plants that were grown in leaf mold. The maximum number of roots per plant in mushroom compost may be due to the favorable physical condition, fine texture having more pore spaces and good drainage of the medium that might have produced more roots. Moreover, the ph of this medium was 7.85 at which phosphorus is readily available which might be the reason for more rooting.

5 Sarhad J. Agric. Vol.27, No.2, Table-VI Effect of growing media on number of roots, root fresh weight and root dry weight in Vinca rosea victory Growing media Number of roots Root fresh weight (g) Root dry weight (g) Control AB 15.3 C 2.5 C Mushroom Compost A 29.3 A 4.5 A Leaf Mould B 21.3 B 3.4 B LSD values Values followed by different letters are significantly different at P 0.01 level according to LSD test. Root Fresh Weight (g) Plant grown in mushroom compost medium produced significantly (α = 0.01) higher root fresh weight than those grown in leaf mould and control media (Table VI). The maximum root fresh weight was recorded in plants grown in mushroom compost (29.3 g). Plants grown in leaf mould produced significantly lower root fresh weight (21.3 g) than those grown in mushroom compost, whereas, the minimum root fresh weight (15.3 g) was recorded in plants grown in control medium. Root Dry Weight (g) Plant grown in mushroom compost medium produced significantly (α = 0.01) higher root dry weight than those grown in leaf mould and control media (Table VI). The results followed similar trend as that of root fresh weight. Maximum root dry weight was recorded for plants grown in mushroom compost (4.5 g). It was followed by plants grown in leaf mould (3.4 g), whereas, the plants grown in control medium produced minimum root dry weight (2.5 g). CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS The experimental results lead us to the conclusion that mushroom compost considerably improved the growth of vinca plants. It is therefore recommended that mushroom compost should be used as planting medium for vinca plants. In case the mushroom compost is not available, then leaf mold could be a better substitute. REFERENCES Chattopadhyay, R.R., R.N. Banerjee, S.K. Sarkar, S. Ganguly and T.K. Basu Antiinflammatory and acute toxicity studies with the leaves of Vinca rosea Linn in experimental animals. Indian J. Physiol. Pharmacol. 36: El-Sayed, M. and R. Verpoorte Methyljasmonate accelerates catabolism of monoterpenoid indole alkaloids in Catharanthus roseus during leaf processing. Fitoterapia. 76: Trochoulias, T. and A.J. Burton Macadania Husk as potting media for Ornamental plants. Combined proc. Int l. Plant Propagator. (Hort Abst. 33: ). Fernandez, M.J.F Trail on different substrates for ornamental plants. Horticolus Intensions. 5: Grantz, E. and H.C. Scharof Bark substrates for the culture of eliator begonias. Deutcher Gartenbau. 389(21): Ismail, M. and Y. Awang The growth and flowering of some annual ornamentals on coconut dust. ISHS Acta Horticulturae 450. Int l. Symp. Growing Media & Plant Nut. Hort. Joyce, G., A. Paul and Thomas Effects of soil media composition, nutrient charge and nitrogen source on growth of catharanthus roseus SNA Res. Conf. 38:105 Papon, N., J. Bremer, A. Vansiri, F. Andreu, M. Rideau and J. Creche Cytokinin and ethylene control indole alkaloid production at the level of the MEP/terpenoid pathway in Catharanthus roseus suspension cells. Planta Med. 71: Richer, L Sylnagiest: A new growing media for ornamental plants. Canad. Agric. 30(2): Shaw, R.K., L. Acharya and A.K. Mukherjee Assessment of genetic diversity in a highly valuable medicinal plant Catharanthus roseus using molecular markers. Crop Breed. & Appld. Biotech. 9: Singh, S.N., P. Vats, S. Suri, R. Shyam, M.M. Kumria, S. Ranganathan and K. Sridharan Effect on antidiabetic extract of Catharanthus roseus on enzymic activities in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. J. Ethnopharmacol. 76: Stronjy, Z Container growing of gerbera on different substrates. Prace Instytutu Sadownictwa Kowiaciartiva Skierniewicach. 5: