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+Importance and Scope of Good Agricultural Practices for Flower Crops
+Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) is a code of crop production practices that ensure
+sustainable production of flower crops, that are environment friendly, economically viable,
+socially acceptable and complies with the legal standards. The set of prescribed practices must
+address efficient resource management besides ensuring higher yields and good quality on a
+sustainable basis, must take care of the welfare and safety of persons working or living in the
+farm. Use of quality planting material that follow the prescribed standards of uniformity,
+tolerance to biotic and abiotic stress must be adhered to, so as to ensure input use efficiency
+and sustainable production. The cultural practices must not have adverse effects on the
+environment, like pollution of land, water and air.
+The following aspects must be addressed for GAP in commercial flower crop production:
+•
+
+The farm should have a proper site history to understand the microclimate and other
+associated factors which may affect the productivity, safety and quality of the produce to
+avoid or minimize contamination.
+
+•
+
+The grower should have a clear identity in the form of registered grower as an individual,
+group or society.
+
+•
+
+Record maintenance is must and cultivation sheets on crop production, cropping
+sequences, crop rotations and systems.
+
+•
+
+Record of the variety used for production, names of root stock and scion in case of grafted
+varieties have to be maintained. Record of periodical soil and water analysis has to be
+maintained.
+
+•
+
+Documentation of manures and fertilizers applied and plant protection chemicals will
+help in understanding its response in terms of yield and quality and further management
+practices.
+
+•
+
+The produce must be traceable to the farm where it has been originally produced.
+
+•
+
+Safe production must adopt integrated pest, disease, weed and nematode management
+approaches.
+
+•
+
+For safe handling of chemicals proper measuring devices and mixing equipment should be
+used and appropriate method of disposal of containers and obsolete plant protection gear
+should be adopted to avoid any kind of contamination and pollution.
+
+•
+
+Documentation of plant protection chemicals used and adopting safety measures like
+using protective gear during application of these chemicals to avoid health hazards to the
+workers is important. Additionally, ensure availability of first-aid kit at the farm.
+
+•
+
+Record maintenance by the farms must be up-to-date and the records must be maintained
+and retained for at least 2 years unless otherwise stipulated by any specific legislation.
+The records shall be accessible and audited.
+
+Page | 1
+
+Rose under open cultivation
+Rose (Rosa hybrida L.) is the ‘Queen of Flowers’ which is cherished for its intrinsic beauty,
+mesmerizing aroma and stupendous health benefits. Roses are grown under open cultivation
+for loose flowers which are used for religious offerings, for preparation of garlands, extraction
+of essential oils, rose water, rose syrup, gulkhand etc.
+
+Importance and scope of Good Agricultural Practices:
+
+•
+•
+•
+
+Farmers use a lot of plant protection chemicals to get quality produce in commercial
+cultivation of rose.
+Since edible value added products are prepared from rose beside pigment and essential oil
+extraction, GAP assumes a greater significance in commercial production of rose.
+For economical and sustainable production and use of quality inputs at critical time, a set of
+practices is enlisted below for GAP in rose.
+
+Soil and climate
+
+• Deep loamy soil rich in organic matter with pH of 5.5-6.5 is suited for rose cultivation
+• Rose cultivation can be taken up ideally in cooler climate with bright sunlight
+• Places with day temperature ranging between 25-30oC and night temperature of 15o-18oC
+are suitable for rose production.
+• At temperatures lower than the ideal, interval between flushes become longer. When the
+temperature increases above 30oC, care has to be taken to provide high humidity and to
+reduce the evaporation loss.
+
+Planting material
+
+• Improved varieties / hybrids released by research organizations or planting material
+produced by registered nurseries should be used for commercial production
+• The planting material should meet the minimum requirement of the standards with regard to
+uniformity, size, vigour, it should be true to type and free from pest and diseases
+• As far as possible varieties/hybrids which are resistant to major pests and diseases should
+be selected for cultivation
+• Special nutritional requirement for specific varieties/hybrids should be ascertained and the
+nutrients management should be scheduled accordingly
+
+Propagation
+
+• Rose can be propagated by cutting / budding
+• Take cutting / scions from a healthy, vigorous and disease-free mother plant
+• Rose plants are propagated by budding or top-grafting on rootstocks like Rosa indica, R.
+multiflora, and R. canina. ‘Nishkant’ variety of root stock are without any prickles and
+easy to bud with high bud uptake.
+• Budding in polybags is ideal for easy transportation of material
+• Budded plants that are 3 months old are used for planting
+• For bare rooted plants, budding has to be taken up in soil and can be shifted 6 months after
+budding
+
+Planting
+•
+•
+•
+
+Land should be prepared with thorough ploughing, harrowing and levelling
+Nourish the soil with plenty of organic matter
+Do not apply fresh manure for plant nutrition. Ensure that compost is well decomposed
+
+Page | 2
+
+•
+•
+•
+•
+
+before use
+Get initial soil sample analysed by a nearby laboratory and plan any addition of plant
+nutrients accordingly
+Planting can be taken up in rows with spacing of 1 m × 1 m. Depending on the spacing,
+pits or trenches of 1-2 feet depth is dug to fit roots in the proper position unbent.
+Water the plants immediately after planting.
+Care must be taken to ensure that the bud union must be 2-3 cm above soil
+
+Aftercare
+•
+•
+•
+•
+
+After planting, shade need to be provided to plants till the plants gets established
+Building up of plant by proper training is important
+Disbudding has to be done during the initial period of 4-6 months after planting
+Removal of emerging rootstock buds in its initial growth is very essential as rootstocks are
+vigorous and try to outgrow the budded cultivar
+• Regular weeding has to be done
+
+Manures and fertilizers
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+
+Regular analysis of soil, water and leaf will be good guide to supply optimum nutrients
+Well decomposed organic manure @ 8 tonnes / acre is to be added and mixed well in the
+soil before planting
+Nutrient application of 240:80:280 kg NPK/acre/year is recommended
+Fertilizers can be applied in equal split doses in monthly intervals
+Soil application of micronutrient (FeSO4 and ZnSO4) @ 2 g/ plant or sq.m twice or thrice
+in a year based on soil test report or foliar spraying of 0.1% (FeSO4 and ZnSO4) if visible
+symptoms are seen
+
+Irrigation
+
+• Irrigate the plants according to the specific water requirements of the varieties
+• Use water from a clean source. Do not use water that may be contaminated by chemicals or
+waste materials
+• The water requirement is 4-6 liter/m2/day through drip irrigation depending on the plant
+growth and weather conditions
+
+Harvesting
+
+• Stage of harvest varies with the variety and distance to the market
+• Harvesting is done during cool hours of the day, either in the early morning or in evening
+hours
+• Use clean and sharp harvesting tools
+• Loose flowers are harvested at the initiation of flower opening
+• Depending upon the market demand flowers can be harvested at different stages of petal
+unfurling
+• The average yield of flower is 15 t/acre/year
+• Flowers has to be shifted to cool places immediately after harvesting
+• Damaged/bruised flowers should be discarded and disposed hygienically
+• For local market the loose flowers are transported in bamboo or in gunny bags
+
+Page | 3
+
+Plant Protection
+Insect pest management
+Thrips
+
+• Spray dimethoate 30 EC @ 2ml/l with pongamia oil 0.5% 2 - 3 times at 15 days interval
+with onset of new flush will minimize their incidence
+• Apply Fipronil 5 SC @1.5ml/l or imidacloprid 17.8 SL @ 0.5ml/l or spinosad 45 SC @ 0.25
+ml/l in case of severe infestation
+• Drench the soil with Chlorpyriphos 20EC @ 5ml/l for killing pupae in soil
+
+Aphid
+•
+•
+•
+•
+
+Spray Acetamaprid 20 SP (0.25 g/L) or Dimethoate 30 EC (2ml/L) when infestation begin
+Spraying of neem or pongamia oil 2 % also gives effective control
+In case of severe infestation spray Imidacloprid 17.8 SC @ 0.5 ml/l or cartap hydrochloride
+50SP@1g/l
+Spray of Lecanicillium lecanii at 3g/l also effective against aphids
+
+Bud borer
+
+• Collection of mature larvae reduces borer population
+• Spraying of indoxacarb 14.5 SC @ 0.75 ml/l or methyl parathion 50EC @1ml/l or
+fenvalerate 20EC @ 0.5ml/l in combination with diflubenzuron 25 WP @ 2g/l at
+appearance of eggs on tender foliage checks borer damage
+• Neem seed kernel extract 4% or neem oil 1% also give good protection to foliage
+• Spraying of Ha-NPV @ 250 LE per ha causes significant mortality of larvae
+
+Two spotted spider mite
+
+• Cutting and burning of severely infested plant parts
+• Proper ventilation, irrigation and clean cultivation keep the pest under control
+• Spray dicofol 18.5 EC @ 1ml/l or wettable sulphur 80EC @3g/l or profenofos 50EC @
+1ml/l or ethion 50EC @ 1ml/l followed by pongamia or neem oil or jatropa oil at 5ml/l
+under open cultivation
+• Release predatory mite Amblyseius tetranychivorus @ 20 mites/plant when T. urticae
+populations are at moderate levels. Spray Lecanicillium lecanii formulation at 5g/l during
+evening.
+
+White fly
+
+• Spray Thiamethaxam 25 WG (0.5 g/l) or spiromesifen 240 SC (1 ml/l) or diafenthiuron 50
+WP (0.75 g/l)
+
+Nematode
+
+• At the time of planting, apply 1 kg of FYM / 250 g neem cake / 500 g vermicompost
+enriched with Pseudomonas fluorescence + Trichoderma harzianum + Paecilomyces
+lilacinus per ha in the beds
+
+•
+
+For standing crop dissolve 2 kg of neem cake enriched with biopesticides (Pseudomonas
+fluorescence + Trichoderma harzianum + Paecilomyces lilacinus) in 200 lit of water and
+drench in soil 2 lit/sq.m. This can also be filtered thoroughly and sent through drip once in
+
+Page | 4
+
+30 days.
+
+Disease management
+Black spot
+•
+
+Contact fungicide Chlorothalonil (0.2%), and systemic fungicides like Trifloxystrobin
+(0.1%) in combination with Tebuconazole (0.1%) is reported to give good control of black
+spot
+
+Powdery mildew
+•
+
+Early detection followed by sulphur fumigation is most effective and economical under
+greenhouse conditions.
+Systemic fungicides such as hexconazol (0.1%) and other chemicals belonging to
+Benzimidazoles (0.1%) and Traizoles (0.1%) offer good control.
+
+•
+
+Die-back
+•
+
+Pruning of the infected stems 5-10 cm below the margin of infection and pasting the pruned
+ends with Bordeaux mixture or Rose paint (copper carbonate, red lead (Pb3O4) and linseed
+oil at 4:4:5 ratio) or Carbendazim (0.1%) give effective control of the disease.
+
+Downy mildew
+
+• All the infected flowers, stems and fallen leaves should be collected and destroyed
+• In nurseries overcrowding of plants should be avoided by providing enough space between
+them
+• Spray Fosetyl-Al (0.2%) or Metalaxyl-MZ (0.1%)
+
+Grey mold or botrytis blight
+•
+
+Chemicals belonging to Benzimidazoles (0.1%), Dicarboximides (0.1%) and Sterol
+Biosynthesis Inhibitors (0.1%) are commonly used for controlling the disease
+
+Rust
+
+• Chemicals like Bittertenol (0.2%) and Propiconazole (0.1%) used for controlling powdery
+mildew are also effective in controlling rust
+
+Mosaic disease
+
+• Clean nursery stock of mother plants
+• Usage of seedling root stocks as the seedlings are known to be free from viruses
+
+Crown gall
+
+• Good nursery practices and production of disease-free planting material
+• Removal and destruction of all infected plants
+• Root damage by Meloidogyne incognita increases the incidence of crown gall. Hence, care
+should be exercised to prevent nematode infestation of root stocks
+
+Page | 5
+
+Rose under protected cultivation
+Rose (Rosa hybrida L.) is a major commercial cut flower, widely cultivated in different parts
+of the world. Among all other cut flowers, roses is most popular because of its beauty, variety,
+fragrance and long lasting blooming season. For cut flower production it can be grown under
+naturally ventilated, cost effective polyhouses or under fully climate-controlled polyhouses.
+
+Importance and scope of Good Agricultural Practices:
+
+•
+•
+•
+
+Rose cultivation under protected conditions is done with usage of a number of plant
+protection chemical sprays to get quality produce.
+Under protected cultivation, the health of workers applying the hazardous chemicals also
+has to be taken care of.
+The first step towards producing safe crop begins at the farm level and is the responsibility
+of the grower for which standard package of practices referred as Good Agriculture Practices
+has to be followed.
+
+Soil and climate
+
+• Loamy soil rich in organic matter with pH of 5.5-6.5 is ideally suited
+• The growing medium may consist of soil, sand and FYM in the ratio of 2:1:1. In place of
+sand, sawdust can also be used.
+• Rose cultivation can be taken up ideally in cooler climate with bright sunlight
+• Places with day temperature ranging between 25-30oC and night temperature of 15-18oC are
+suitable for rose production.
+• At the temperature lower than the ideal, interval between flushes become longer. When the
+temperature increases above 30oC, care has to be taken to provide high humidity and to
+reduce the evaporation loss
+
+Planting material
+
+• Improved varieties / hybrids released by research organizations or planting material
+produced by registered nurseries should be used for commercial production
+• The planting material should meet the minimum requirement of the standards with regard to
+uniformity, size, vigour, must be true to type and free of pest and diseases.
+• As far as possible use varieties/hybrids which are resistant to major pests and diseases should
+be selected for cultivation
+• Special nutritional requirement for specific varieties/hybrids should be ascertained and the
+nutrients management should be scheduled accordingly.
+
+Propagation
+
+• Cut roses can be propagated by budding or stenting
+• Take cutting or scions from a healthy, vigorous and disease-free mother plant
+• Rose plants are propagated by budding or top-grafting on rootstocks like Rosa indica, R.
+multiflora, and R. canina. ‘Nishkant’ variety of root stock are without any prickles and
+easy to bud with high bud uptake
+• Budding in polybags is ideal for easy transportation of material
+• Budded plants of 3 months old are used for planting
+• Procure planting material from reliable sources
+
+Page | 6
+
+Planting
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+
+Ideal time for planting is April – May or August – September
+Planting is taken up in well prepared raised beds of 1.0 m width and 30-40 m length
+Budded portion must be 2.5 cm above the soil surface
+Planting is done at a spacing of 40 × 20 cm and 44,000 plants are required per acre
+For necessary cultural operations, 50 cm path can be accommodated between the beds
+
+Aftercare
+
+• Regular weeding has to be done
+
+Special cultural practice for long stalk flower production
+Bending of shoots
+•
+
+Four weeks after planting, shoots are bent to induce strong basal shoots. Development of
+a good number of basal shoots is essential to build a strong framework in the plant.
+
+Removal of buds from the rootstock
+•
+
+It has to be done to prevent the unwanted vegetative growth from the rootstock and to
+encourage healthy buds from the scion
+
+Disbudding
+•
+
+Removal of side buds below the central bud should be done regularly
+
+Deshooting
+•
+
+Removal of the young shoots from the flower stalk
+
+Bud netting
+•
+
+Flower buds are covered with nets to regulate shape and bud opening
+
+Nutrition
+•
+•
+•
+•
+
+Fertilizer dose of 50:15:60 g N:P: K + 2 kg FYM / sq.m during first year after planting
+and 40:10:50 g N:P: K + 2 kg FYM / sq.m from second year after planting
+Either straight fertilizers (Urea, SSP, DAP, Muriate of Potash etc.) or water-soluble
+fertilizers (19:19:19, Sulphate of Potash etc.) can be applied in equal split doses at
+fortnightly intervals from third month onwards
+Soil application of micronutrient formulations @ 2 g per plant or sq.m twice or thrice in a
+year based on soil test report or foliar spraying of 0.1% micronutrient mixture if visible
+symptoms are seen
+Regular analysis of soil, water and leaf will be good guide to supply optimum nutrients.
+
+Irrigation
+•
+•
+•
+•
+
+Irrigate the plants according to the specific water requirements of the varieties
+Do not use water that may be contaminated by chemicals or waste materials
+Use water from a clean source
+The water requirement is 4-6 liter/m2/day through drip irrigation depending on the plant
+growth and weather conditions
+
+Page | 7
+
+Harvesting and post-harvest handling
+
+• Stage of harvest varies with the variety and distance to the market
+• Cut rose flowers are harvested at the tight bud stage with all sepals unfurled
+• Harvesting is done during cool hours of the day, either in the early morning or in evening
+hours
+• Use clean and sharp harvesting tools
+• Immediately after harvesting the cut flower is placed in buckets containing clean water for
+pre-cooling.
+• Damaged/bruised flowers should be discarded and disposed hygienically
+• Then the flowers have to be graded, packed in cardboard boxes and transported in
+refrigerated vans
+• Rose flowers are graded based on the colour, appearance, stem length etc. Graded flowers
+are grouped together in bunches of 10,12, 20 or 24.
+• Four bundles of roses containing 80 blooms are packed in a standard size carton (120 x 45
+x 25 cm or 100 x 40 x 30 cm).
+• The average yield of the cut flower is 200-300 stems/ sq. m/year
+
+Plant Protection
+Insect pest management
+Thrips
+
+• Spray dimethoate 30 EC @ 2ml/l with pongamia oil 0.5% 2 - 3 times at 15 days interval
+with onset of new flush will minimize their incidence.
+• Apply Fipronil 5 SC @1.5 ml/l or imidacloprid 17.8 SL @ 0.5ml/l or spinosad 45 SC @
+0.25 ml/l in case of severe infestation.
+• Drench the soil with Chlorpyriphos 20 EC @ 5ml/l for killing pupae in soil.
+
+White fly
+
+• Spray Thiamethaxam 25 WG (0.5 g/l) or spiromesifen 240 SC (1 ml/l) or diafenthiuron 50
+WP (0.75 g/l)
+
+Aphid
+•
+•
+•
+•
+
+Spray Acetamaprid 20 SP (0.25 g/l) or Dimethoate 30 EC (2ml/l) when infestation begin
+Spraying of neem or pongamia oil 2 % also gives effective control
+In case of severe infestation spray Imidacloprid 17.8 SC @ 0.5 ml/l or cartap hydrochloride
+50 SP@1g/l
+Spray of Lecanicillium lecanii at 3g/l also effective against aphids
+
+Bud borer
+
+• Collection of mature larvae reduces borer population
+• Spraying of indoxacarb 14.5 SC @ 0.75 ml/l or methyl parathion 50 EC @1ml/l or
+fenvalerate 20 EC @ 0.5 ml/l in combination with diflubenzuron 25 WP @ 2g/l at
+appearance of eggs on tender foliage checks borer damage
+• Neem seed kernel extract 4% or neem oil 1% also give good protection to foliage
+• Spraying of Ha-NPV @ 250 LE per ha causes significant mortality of larvae
+
+Page | 8
+
+Two spotted spider mite
+
+• Cutting and burning of severely infested plant parts
+• Proper ventilation, irrigation and clean cultivation keep the pest under control
+• Spray dicofol 18.5 EC @ 1ml/l or wettable sulphur 80 EC @3g/l or profenofos 50 EC @
+1ml/l or ethion 50 EC @ 1ml/l followed by pongamia or neem oil or jatropa oil at 5ml/l
+under open cultivation
+• Under protected cultivation, spray abamectin 1.9 EC @ 0.5 ml/l followed by flufenoxuron
+10 DC @1 ml/l or fenazaquine 10 EC @1ml/l or diafenthiuron 50 SC @ 0.6 ml/l during
+export season and chemicals suggested for open cultivation during off-season.
+• Release predatory mite Amblyseius tetranychivorus @ 20 mites/plant when T. urticae
+populations are at moderate levels. Spray Lecanicillium lecanii formulation at 5g/l during
+evening.
+
+Nematode
+•
+•
+
+At the time of planting, apply 1 kg of FYM / 250 g neem cake / 500 g vermicompost
+enriched with Pseudomonas fluorescence + Trichoderma harzianum + Paecilomyces
+lilacinus per ha in the beds.
+For standing crop dissolve 2 kg of neem cake enriched with biopesticides (Pseudomonas
+fluorescence + Trichoderma harzianum + Paecilomyces lilacinus) in 200 lit of water and
+drench in soil @ 2 lit/sq.m. This can also be filtered thoroughly and sent through drip once
+in 30 days.
+
+Disease management
+Powdery mildew
+•
+•
+
+Early detection followed by sulphur fumigation is most effective and economical under
+greenhouse conditions.
+Systemic fungicides such as hexconazole (0.1%) and other chemicals belonging to
+Benzimidazoles (0.1%) and Traizoles (0.1%) offer good control.
+
+Black spot
+•
+
+Contact fungicide Chlorothalonil (0.2%), and systemic fungicides like Trifloxystrobin
+(0.1%) in combination with Tebuconazole (0.1%) is reported to give good control of black
+spot.
+
+Die-back
+•
+
+Pruning of the infected stems 5-10 cm below the margin of infection and pasting the pruned
+ends with Bordeaux mixture or Rose paint (copper carbonate, red lead (Pb3O4) and linseed
+oil at 4:4:5 ratio) or Carbendazim (0.1%) give effective control of the disease
+
+Downy mildew
+
+• All the infected flowers, stems and fallen leaves should be collected and destroyed
+• Bringing down the humidity in polyhouses effectively checks the further spread of the
+disease
+• In nurseries overcrowding of plants should be avoided by providing enough space between
+them
+• Spray Fosetyl-Al (0.2%) or Metalaxyl-MZ (0.1%)
+
+Page | 9
+
+Grey mold or botrytis blight
+•
+•
+•
+•
+
+Roses under photo selective plastic showed a lower disease compared to commercially
+used plastic
+Climatic screens increase night temperature and lower the relative humidity, thereby
+reducing condensation on the plants
+Since Botrytis sporulates readily on wounded and senescent tissues these should be
+thoroughly removed
+Many chemicals belonging to Benzimidazoles (0.1%), Dicarboximides (0.1%) and Sterol
+Biosynthesis Inhibitors (0.1%) are commonly used for controlling the disease
+
+Rust
+•
+•
+
+The cultivar “Manetti” used as a rootstock in greenhouse roses is highly susceptible
+Chemicals like Bittertenol (0.2%) and Propiconazole (0.1) used for controlling powdery
+mildew are also effective in controlling rust
+
+Rose mosaic disease
+
+• Clean nursery stock of mother plants
+• Usage of seedling root stocks as the seedlings are known to be free from viruses
+• Using ELISA, the virus can be detected very rapidly compared to the use of long-term
+biological indices
+
+Crown gall
+
+• Clean nursery practices and production of disease-free planting material
+• Removal and destruction of all infected plants
+• Root damage by Meloidogyne incognita increases the incidence of crown gall. Hence, care
+should be exercised to prevent nematode infestation of root stocks
+
+Page | 10
+
+Tuberose
+Tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa L.) belongs to the family Amaryllidaceae and is cultivated
+commercially for its fragrant flowers which are used as loose flowers, cut flowers and in the
+perfumery industry. The flowers of tuberose are highly fragrant and contain 0.08 to 0.14 % of
+concrete and have high demand in international market. Flowers of the single type are
+commonly used for extraction of essential oil, loose flowers, and for value addition, while that
+of double varieties are used as cut flowers, for garden display and floral arrangements.
+
+Importance of Good Agricultural Practices:
+Tuberose is mainly used commercially as a loose flower, cut flower and for extraction of
+concrete. Though the produce is not consumed directly, lot of inorganic fertilizers and plant
+protection chemicals go into the crop production.
+•
+•
+
+The first step towards producing safe crop begins at the farm level and it is the
+responsibility of the grower, for which standard package of practices referred as good
+agriculture practices has to be followed.
+Economical and sustainable production by use of quality inputs in prescribed amounts at
+critical time will help in achieving sustainable production, for which a set of practices in
+tuberose, is enlisted below:
+
+Suitable growing conditions
+•
+•
+
+Tuberose thrives in moderate climate with temperature ranging from 20-30 o C. It performs
+well in sunny situation.
+Ideal soil is loamy to sandy loam, pH range of 6.5 to 7.5 with good aeration and drainag
+
+Planting material
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+
+Improved varieties /hybrids released by research organizations or planting material
+produced by registered nurseries should be used for commercial production.
+The planting material should meet the minimum requirement of the standards with regard
+to uniformity, size, vigour being true to type and being free of pest and diseases.
+As far as possible use varieties/hybrids which are resistant to major pests and diseases.
+Special nutritional requirement for specific varieties/hybrids should be ascertained and the
+nutrient management should be scheduled accordingly.
+Spindle shaped bulbs of 2.0-2.5 cm diameter are used as propagule to achieve uniform crop
+stand.
+
+Cultural practices
+Land preparation
+•
+•
+•
+•
+
+Selection of the site, should be followed by soil and water testing to ascertain the suitability
+for cultivation.
+Well drained loamy to sandy loam soil with adequate aeration and a pH of 6.5 to 7.5 is
+recommended.
+Land should be ploughed deeply 2 to 3 times and brought to a fine tilth.
+Raised beds of 30 cm height, 0.9 m width and convenient length should be prepared
+leaving 40 cm passage between two beds. Raised beds ensure better drainage of excess
+
+Page | 11
+
+water, ensure aeration for the roots and can be combined with drip irrigation and
+fertigation system.
+
+Manures and Manuring
+•
+•
+•
+
+•
+
+For upkeep of soil health and to improve the organic matter content, 8 tonnes of well
+decomposed farm yard manure should be applied in one acre at least 15 days prior to
+planting.
+The organic compost/ farm yard manure should be free from pathogens, nematodes, weed
+seeds or any other harmful organisms.
+Two tonnes/acre of well decomposed FYM/vermicompost/ deoiled neem cake has to be
+enriched by mixing with 1 kg of each of Pseudomonas fluorescens + Trichoderma
+harzianum + Paecilomyces lilacinus formulation under shade. It has to be covered with
+mulch and optimum moisture of 25 - 30% has to be maintained for a period of 15 days.
+This has to be incorporated into the beds before planting for control of nematodes.
+Bio-fertilizers should be used to reduce the requirement of inorganic fertilizers. Farm yard
+manure should be enriched with bio-fertilizers viz., Azospirillum/Azotobacter, Phosphate
+solubilizing bacteria or Arka microbial consortium @ 1.0 kg each/ tonne of farm yard
+manure and applied to the main field.
+
+Fertilizer application to soil
+•
+
+•
+•
+•
+•
+
+The inorganic fertilizers should be applied based on the soil analysis and
+recommendations only. This will help in providing optimum amount of nutrients to the
+crop. Excess application of fertilizers should be avoided as it will lead to soil and water
+pollution.
+Application of 120:60:100 kg NPK/acre is recommended.
+At the time of planting, 50 kg Urea, 30 kg Di ammonium phosphate and 40 kg Muriate of
+potash /acre /year is applied as basal dose.
+Three months after planting, 160 kg urea, 100 kg DAP and 130 kg MOP/acre/year can be
+applied in three equal split doses at three monthly intervals.
+Fertilizers should be placed in such a way that it should be easily accessible to the plant
+roots.
+
+Planting
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+
+Planting is done on raised beds in double row system with one drip line per bed.
+Bulbs are planted at 2.5 cm depth at a spacing of 60cm x 45cm.
+The recommended seed rate is 400 kg of bulbs/ acre
+Ideal planting time is May to July.
+Arka Microbial Consortium@12.5kg/ha /any certified consortium of bio-fertilizers can
+be drenched 2 weeks after transplanting to enhance the growth.
+
+Fertigation
+•
+•
+•
+
+Adopt fertigation for better fertilizer use efficiency and higher yield. For fertigation,
+weekly application of the recommended dose of fertilizers can be followed.
+As the fertilizer use efficiency is high under fertigation 75% of the recommended fertilizer
+dose will be adequate to obtain the potential yield thereby resulting in saving of 25%
+fertilizer input.
+In a fertigation schedule, 25 per cent of the total quantity of nitrogen, phosphorous and
+potassium can be applied to soil at the time of planting as straight fertilizers (Urea-66 kg,
+Single Super Phosphate-94 kg, Muriate of Potash -42 kg /acre/year) to save the cost on
+
+Page | 12
+
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+
+water soluble fertilizers. Remaining can be injected as through water soluble fertilizers.
+Fertigation can be commenced from the third week after planting and continued at weekly
+intervals.
+The weekly fertigation schedule can be as follows:
+0-20 days after planting: No fertigation
+21-90 days after planting: 5.8 kg urea, 2.1 kg water soluble Mono Potassium Phosphate
+(MKP) (0:54:32) and 2.4 kg/acre water soluble Sulphate of Potash (SOP) (0:0:50)
+91-270 days after planting: 2.3 kg urea, 1.3 kg water soluble Mono Potassium Phosphate
+(MKP) (0:54:32) and 1.5 kg/acre water soluble Sulphate of Potash (SOP) (0:0:50)
+271-365 days after planting: 3 kg urea, 1.2 kg water soluble Mono Potassium Phosphate
+(MKP) (0:54:32) and 1.4 kg/acre water soluble Sulphate of Potash (SOP) (0:0:50)
+For the ratoon crop in the subsequent years the basal application of FYM and fertilizer has
+to be repeated at the beginning of the rainy season.
+If there is a specific recommendation based on the soil analysis for fertigation, the
+schedule can be modified as per requirement.
+
+Micronutrients
+•
+
+Need based foliar spray of ZnSO4 @ 0.5% + FeSO4 @ 0.2% + Boric acid @ 0.1% may also
+be practiced for getting better growth and yield in tuberose
+
+Irrigation
+•
+•
+•
+
+For successful cultivation, optimum moisture should be maintained throughout the
+growing period. Tuberose requires 1000-1200 mm of water per year. Water can be saved
+to the extent of 25-30 per cent in drip method of irrigation.
+The frequency of irrigation depends on the climatic and soil conditions.
+Daily irrigation through drip system has to be followed based on the stage of the crop
+(crop factor) and daily evaporation.
+
+Inter culture
+•
+
+Earthing up is an important operation to prevent exposure of bulbs
+
+Weeding
+•
+•
+
+The beds should be kept weed free throughout the crop period.
+Regular need based manual weeding is required during the entire cropping period.
+
+Harvesting and post-harvest handling
+•
+•
+•
+
+•
+•
+•
+•
+
+Tuberose starts flowering in about three months after planting.
+For loose flower purpose, fully matured flower buds which are at the horizontal position
+on flowers stalk have to be harvested during morning hours.
+For use as cut flower, spikes have to be harvested when the first pair of flower buds opens
+on the spike.
+Harvesting has to be done during the cool hours of the day. All the containers into which
+the flowers are placed should be cleaned before use.
+Precooling of flowers to remove the field heat is an important operation to lower
+respiration and prolong the shelf and vase life of flowers.
+Damaged/bruised flowers should be discarded and disposed hygienically.
+For local market the loose flowers are transported in bamboo containers lined with cloth
+or with wet gunny bags or in gunny bags or polythene bags lined with newspaper. About
+
+Page | 13
+
+•
+•
+
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+
+10-15 kg fresh flowers are packed in each basket
+Cut flowers are bunched into bundles of 25, 50 or 100 spikes and transported in containers
+holding water.
+For long distance transport, corrugated card board boxes of dimension 95 x 40 x 20 cm
+are used.
+
+Harvesting, lifting and storage of bulbs
+Harvesting stage of tuberose bulb is important for storage of bulbs and their growth. The
+bulbs are harvested when the flowering is over and plant ceases to grow. At this stage, the
+old leaves become dry and bulbs are almost dormant.
+Irrigation should be withheld and soil is allowed to dry before digging out the bulbs.
+After digging, the bulbs are lifted out; the bulblets of 2 to 2.5 cm diameter are separated
+and used as seed stock for the next season.
+The bulbs are graded based on their size and are placed to dry or cure.
+The bulbs should be treated with fungicide and insecticide to prevent rotting and attack
+of mealy bugs during storage. After treatment, they should be shade dried before storage
+in a cool dry place.
+The bulbs must be stored or have their position changed every few days to prevent fungal
+attack and rotting.
+
+Crop protection
+Thrips, root mealy bugs and nematodes are the major pests of tuberose. Major diseases are
+phoma blight, basal rot or stem rot and flower blight. Integrated approach to pest and disease
+management ensures better control and in safe crop production.
+
+Insect management
+•
+•
+
+•
+•
+•
+
+Grow resistant/tolerant varieties to avoid/ minimize pest incidence.
+Thrips
+can be controlled by spraying of oxydemeton methyl 25 EC @2 ml/litre or
+dimethoate 30 EC @2 ml/litre or acephate 75 SP @1 g/litre along with 0.5% pongamia oil
+at 15 days interval is recommended followed by drenching the soil with chlorpyriphos 20
+EC @5 ml/litre.
+Root mealy bugs can be managed by dipping the bulbs in chlorpyriphos 0.05% as a
+prophylactic measure and drenching of chlorpyriphos 20 EC @5 ml/litre. Soil application
+of neem cake at the time of planting can effectively control root mealybugs.
+Soil drenching with chlorpyriphos 20EC @ 5 ml/litre or thiamethoxam 25WG @0.5g/litre
+at monthly intervals is recommended for controlling the root mealybugs in the field.
+Avoid spraying the same chemical repeatedly, as it may result in insecticide resistance by
+the target pest.
+
+Nematode management
+•
+•
+•
+
+Use of nematode free planting material and growing antagonistic crops like marigold,
+mucuna (velvet bean) before planting tuberose
+Treating tuberose bulbs with bio-pesticides like Pseudomonas fluorescens or Trichoderma
+harzianum @ 10g/kg.
+1 tonne of farm yard should be enriched with two kg each of the bio-pesticides, viz.,
+Trichoderma harzianum, Pseudomonas fluorescens and Paecilomyces lilacinus and left
+under shade for 2 to 3 weeks at 25 – 30% moisture. This has to be mixed thoroughly from
+top to bottom once in three days and applied in field before planting.
+
+Page | 14
+
+•
+•
+
+For the standing crop, biopesticide enriched neem cake can also be mixed in water (1: 10
+ratio), thoroughly filtered and applied through the drip or as soil drench.
+Chemical nematicide, carbofuran 3 G @ 1 kg a.i. per ha can be applied at planting and
+repeated after 45 days.
+
+Disease management
+•
+•
+•
+•
+
+Removal of affected leaves followed by application of carbendazim @2 g/l of water or
+Propiconazole @ 1 ml/ litre of water will control Phoma blight.
+Basal rot or stem rot can be managed by treating the collar portion and the soil with benlate,
+carbendazim, iprodione or copper oxy chloride @ 2 g/litre of water.
+Flower blight can be controlled by spraying carbendazim @ 2 g/litre of water.
+Alternaria leaf spot can be managed by spraying with mancozeb @ 0.2%
+
+Page | 15
+
+Marigold
+Marigold (Tagetes spp.) is one of the most popular flowering annuals grown for loose
+flowers and also for landscape gardening and as pot plants. The flowers are suitable for
+garlands and floral decorations. Carotenoids extracted from marigold flowers are the major
+source of pigment for poultry feed. Marigold flowers are also in demand by
+pharmaceutical industries for extraction of ‘Lutein’. It is popular as trap crop for
+management of pests in most of the vegetable crops. It is also used in crop rotation for
+management of nematode.
+
+Importance and scope of Good Agricultural Practices
+The first step towards producing safe crop begins at the farm level and is the responsibility of
+the grower for which standard package of practices referred to as good agriculture practices has
+to be followed.
+• Since marigold is also used for extraction of dyes and pigments for use in poultry feed,
+besides use as a traditional flower, safe production assumes importance in this crop.
+• Economical and sustainable production and use of quality inputs at critical time is
+important for which a set of practices is enlisted below for marigold:
+
+Site selection
+
+• Choose land that has access to a clean and reliable source of irrigation water
+• Make sure there is sufficient space between marigold fields and other fields where pesticides
+are used to prevent any sprays from contaminating your crops
+• Even though marigold can be grown in various types of soils, loamy soil rich in organic
+matter with pH of 6.0 to 7.0 is ideal for its cultivation.
+
+Planting material
+
+• Improved varieties / hybrids released by research organizations or planting material
+produced by registered nurseries should be used for commercial production.
+• The planting material should meet the minimum requirement of the standards with regard to
+uniformity, size, vigour, true to type and free of pest and diseases.
+• As far as possible use varieties/hybrids which are resistant to major pests and diseases.
+• Special nutritional requirement for specific varieties/hybrids should be ascertained and the
+nutrients management should be scheduled accordingly.
+
+Seeds / planting material
+Majority of the varieties and hybrids can be propagated by seeds. Seed rate for marigold
+varies from 0.4 to 0.6 kg/acre and takes about 5-7 days for germination. Seeds can be sown in
+nursery beds in lines in shallow furrows. Raised nursery beds of 15 cm height are prepared by
+mixing 8-10 kg of well decomposed cow dung manure/m2. The width of the seedbed should
+be around 1.2 m. Seedlings will be ready for planting 20-25 days after sowing.
+Some hybrids are only vegetatively propagated by tip cuttings. Tip cuttings with 2-3
+nodes of 6-8 cm should be prepared with clean and sharp secateurs. Basal node of the
+cutting should be inserted into protray cells containing cocopeat for rooting. Cuttings placed
+at a humidity of 80% roots better. Rooting can be obtained by 20-25 days.
+
+Page | 16
+
+• Use fresh seeds that were harvested during the previous season
+• Use seeds that are in good condition and free of pests
+• If you are collecting your own seeds label the seed packets with details of the species, the
+origin and date of harvest or collection
+• Do not use seeds or planting material that are in poor condition or if you do not know where
+they came from and when they were harvested
+• Procure seeds or planting material from reliable sources
+• In case of rooted cuttings, take cuttings from a healthy, vigorous and disease-free mother
+plant
+
+Land Preparation
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+
+Land should be prepared with thorough ploughing, harrowing and levelling
+Nourish the soil with plenty of organic matter
+Do not apply fresh manure for plant nutrition. Ensure that compost is well decomposed
+before use
+Get initial soil sample analysed by a nearby laboratory and plan any addition of plant
+nutrients accordingly
+Farm yard manure @ 8 tonnes/acre should be applied during land preparation.
+
+Planting
+
+• Ensure correct spacing between plants and rows
+• In main field, raised beds of 30 cm height and 0.9 m width are prepared
+• Seedlings / rooted cuttings are planted in double row system on the beds
+
+Irrigation and interculture
+
+• Irrigate the plants according to the specific water requirements of the species / varieties – if
+in doubt, seek guidance from an expert and plan the irrigation schedule accordingly. If
+possible, test the irrigation water for any contaminants and adopt appropriate measures to
+prevent contamination
+• Do not irrigate the plants too little or too much
+• Do not use water that may be contaminated by chemicals or waste materials
+• In case of flood irrigation, irrigate the crop once in 4-6 days depending upon soil moisture and
+weather conditions.
+• If drip irrigation is adopted, schedule the irrigation daily and depending on the crop stage
+and weather, the quantity of water should be regulated.
+• Use mulch to maintain moisture in the soil and to inhibit growth of weeds
+• Manage weeds before they start competing with the main crop for nutrients and light
+• Do not allow weeds to produce seeds – this will increase weed growth the following year
+• Do not allow the soil to dry up due to excessive weeding
+• Weeding is done manually 3-4 times during the entire crop growth period.
+• Pinch the buds and terminal portion of the plants till 4-6 weeks after transplanting to
+encourage branching and increased number of flower bud formation.
+
+Nutrient management
+•
+•
+
+The recommended dose of FYM is 8 tonnes / acre with the fertilizer dose of 36:36:30 kg
+NPK/ acre /year
+Basal dose of urea – 19.8 kg/ac, Single super phosphate (SSP) -168.8 kg/ac, Muriate of
+Potash (MOP) – 12.5 kg/ac can be applied on the beds. This is followed by fertigation as
+
+Page | 17
+
+•
+•
+•
+•
+
+follows;
+0-20 days after planting: No fertigation
+21-40 days after planting: Urea - 13.87 kg; MAP (12:61:0) - 2.5 kg; SOP (0:0:50) -7.5
+kg/ac/week
+41-70 days after planting: Urea - 3.5 kg; MAP (12:61:0) - 1.85 kg; SOP (0:0:50) - 5.6
+kg/ac/week
+Foliar spray of micro nutrients 1.25 g MgSO4 + 1 g ZnSO4 + 0.25 g Borax in 1 liter of
+water twice during the crop season (1 and 2 months after transplanting) improves plant
+growth and enhance flower quality
+
+Harvesting and Yield
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+
+Harvesting of flowers should be done during cool hours of the day, either in the morning
+or evening.
+All the tools used for harvesting and containers into which the flowers are placed should
+be cleaned before use.
+Flower yield depends upon season and cultural practices adopted.
+Harvesting duration depends on variety; in general, 6-9 t/acre of flowers is expected.
+Flowers has to be shifted to cool place immediately after harvesting
+Damaged/bruised flowers should be discarded and disposed hygienically.
+For local market the loose flowers are transported in bamboo or in gunny bags
+
+Plant Protection
+Insect pest management
+Thrips
+
+• Spray acephate 75 SP @ 1.5 g/l or dimethoate 30 EC @ 2.0 ml/l with 0.5% pongamia oil.
+• Apply fipronil 5 SC @ 1.5 ml/l in case of severe infestation.
+
+Bud borer
+• Installation of pheromone traps for monitoring the activity of adults.
+• Application of HaNPV@ 250 LE/ha followed by spray with any neem formulations at 1.0
+– 2.0 ml/l.
+• Spray of quinalphos 25 EC @ 2.0 ml/l at fortnightly interval.
+• Spray indoxacarb 14.5 SC @ 1.0 ml/l or thiodicarb 75 WP @ 1.0 g/l, if the incidence is
+severe.
+
+Red spider mite
+• Regular inspection of crop for mite infestation and cutting and burning the infested plant
+parts to avoid further spread.
+• Thorough spray of water on the plant dislodges the mites from their webs followed by
+spraying dicofol 18.5 EC @ 2.5 ml/l or wettable sulphur 80 WP @ 3.0 g/l.
+• Spray propargite 57 EC @ 1.0 ml/l or abamectin 1.9 EC @ 0.5 ml/l or flufenoxuron 10 DC
+@ 1.0 ml/l or fenazaquin 10 EC @ 1.0 ml/l, if infestation is high.
+• Integrated pest management approach using companion crops, trap crops, light-traps, crop
+rotation etc. has to be followed.
+
+Page | 18
+
+Disease management
+Damping off
+
+• Proper drainage should be provided in nursery bed.
+• Soil drenching with captan (0.2%) or mancozeb (0.2%) should be followed to manage the
+disease.
+• Three-four years crop rotation should be followed.
+
+Leaf Spots and Blight
+
+• The marigold crop should be sprayed with Mancozeb @ 0.2% or Carbendazim (0.1%) at
+fortnightly intervals starting from the first appearance of disease symptoms.
+
+Powdery Mildew
+
+• The disease can be controlled by spraying with Karathane @ 0.1% or wettable sulfur (3 g/l)
+at fortnightly intervals.
+
+Flower bud rot
+To control this disease regular spraying of mancozeb @ 0.2% or Difenconazole (0.05%) should
+be followed.
+
+Page | 19
+
+Chrysanthemum under open cultivation
+Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium /Dendranthema grandiflora) belongs to the
+family Asteraceae. It is a popular commercial flower crop grown in different parts of the world.
+The word Chrysos means “golden” and anthos means “flower”. It is commonly known as
+Queen of East/ Autumn Queen/ Guldaudi.
+
+Importance and scope of Good Agricultural Practices:
+Chrysanthemum is both a commercial crop and a popular exhibition flower. It is
+suitable for making of garlands, veni, worship, planting in borders and pot culture (pot mums).
+In the production process of chrysanthemums, lot of inorganic fertilizers and plant protection
+chemicals are being utilized.
+Standard package of practices referred as good agriculture practices must be followed
+for chrysanthemum crop production as a first step towards producing safe crop. Along with
+ensuring the production of safe crop, the welfare and safety of persons working in the
+chrysanthemum farm should be taken into account by the producer or grower. A set of Good
+Agricultural Practices that is needed to be followed for safe production of chrysanthemum
+under open field is enlisted below.
+
+Planting material
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+
+•
+
+For commercial production of chrysanthemums under open field, use of improved varieties
+/hybrids released by research organizations or planting material produced by registered
+nurseries is recommended.
+The chrysanthemum planting material should meet the minimum standards with regard to
+uniformity, size, vigour being true to type and free from pests and diseases.
+Chrysanthemum varieties/hybrids which are resistant to major pests and diseases should
+be used for commercial production.
+Ascertain the nutritional requirement for specific chrysanthemum varieties/hybrids and
+schedule the nutrient management accordingly.
+Vegetative propagation in chrysanthemum is mainly done using suckers or terminal
+cuttings.
+Suckers arise from the underground stem and these are separated and planted in prepared
+nursery beds during January for stock plants. Regular pinching is performed in these plants
+for vigorous and profuse branching. Some of these stock plants are used for preparation of
+cuttings.
+Vegetative propagation through cuttings is the most common and popular method.
+Terminal Cuttings of 5-7 cm in length are taken form healthy stock plants in May-June.
+The cuttings are prepared removing basal leaves and reducing the leaf area of remaining
+leaves to half. The basal portions (less than half inch) of cuttings are dipped in rooting
+hormone (1000 ppm solution of IBA for 30 sec) for better rooting. The lower portion
+of cuttings is treated with copper fungicide to avoid fungal growth.
+
+Cultural practices
+Land preparation
+•
+•
+
+Chrysanthemum with a shallow but fibrous root system is sensitive to water-logging and
+prone to attack by diseases, such as root rot and wilt due to lack of aeration.
+Well drained sandy loam soils with pH ranging between 6.5 and 7.0 are ideal for
+
+Page | 20
+
+chrysanthemum growing.
+Chrysanthemum requires well prepared soil for proper growth and development.
+The field should be ploughed 2 to 3 times before preparing the beds and levelled well.
+Addition of organic matter improves the soil structure and helps in the proper development
+of the plant.
+Proper soil sterilization with a fungicide should be done before planting to
+avoid soil borne diseases.
+
+•
+•
+•
+•
+
+Manures and manuring
+•
+•
+
+Chrysanthemum is a heavy feeder and hence they are to be adequately manured.
+For the proper upkeep of soil health and to improve the organic matter, a basal dose of
+well decomposed farm yard manure should be applied @ 8 tonnes per acre at least 15 days
+prior to planting.
+Ensure that the organic compost/ farm yard manure used are free from pathogens,
+nematodes, weed seeds or any other harmful organisms.
+
+•
+
+Fertilizer application to soil
+•
+•
+
+Inorganic fertilizers should be applied based on the soil analysis and recommendations
+only, which will help in providing optimum amount of nutrients to the crop. Avoid the
+excess application of inorganic fertilizers as it will lead to soil and water pollution.
+Application of 40: 20: 40 kg NPK per acre is recommended.
+
+Planting
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+
+Light and temperature are the two important environmental factors influencing
+the growth and flowering in chrysanthemum.
+As far as light is concerned, both photoperiod and the intensity have profound effects
+on the growth and flowering of chrysanthemum. It is a short-day plant normally
+initiates and flowers during September to December.
+Planting should be done in such a way that flowering coincides with short day
+conditions. Hence, planting during May-June is recommended.
+The optimum plant population for growing chrysanthemum is 25,500 plants per acre.
+The suckers or rooted cuttings are planted at a spacing of 30 cm x 30 cm on raised beds
+Before planting, the roots of the suckers or slips are dipped in a systemic fungicide to
+give protection against wilt.
+
+Fertigation
+•
+•
+•
+
+•
+•
+•
+
+Adopt fertigation for better fertilizer use efficiency and higher yield in chrysanthemum.
+For fertigation, follow weekly application of the recommended dose of fertilizers.
+The fertilizer use efficiency is reported to be high under fertigation. Hence 75% of the
+recommended fertilizer dose will be adequate to obtain the potential yield thereby
+resulting in considerable saving of 25% fertilizer input.
+In a fertigation schedule, basal dose of 8 tonnes per acre FYM + Urea – 16.8 kg; SSP70 Kg and MOP – 12.8 Kg/acre should be applied to soil at the time of planting as
+straight fertilizers. This will save the cost on water soluble fertilizers. This should be
+followed by fertigation schedule which can be injected as water soluble fertilizers.
+Fertigation in chrysanthemum can be commenced from the third week after planting and
+continued at weekly intervals.
+The weekly fertigation schedule can be as follows:
+0-20 days after planting -No fertigation:
+
+Page | 21
+
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+
+21-65 days after planting- Urea: 1.9 Kg, MAP (Mono Ammonium Phosphate): 3.1 Kg,
+SOP (Sulphate of Potash): 2.5 kg/acre/week
+66-100 days after planting-Urea: 2.3 Kg, MAP (Mono Ammonium Phosphate): 3.7 Kg,
+SOP (Sulphate of Potash): 3.0 kg/acre/week
+101-180 days after planting- Urea: 1.2 Kg, MAP (Mono Ammonium Phosphate): 1.8
+Kg, SOP (Sulphate of Potash): 1.5 kg/acre/week
+Application of Arka Microbial Consortium @ 12.5 kg/ha also increases flower yield in
+chrysanthemum
+Need based foliar spray of micronutrients ZnSO4 @ 0.25% + FeSO4 @ 0.2% + Boric
+acid @ 0.1% at fortnightly intervals may also be practiced for getting better growth and
+yield in chrysanthemum
+
+Irrigation
+•
+•
+•
+•
+
+For successful cultivation of chrysanthemum under open field, optimum moisture
+should be maintained throughout the growing period. Water can be saved to the extent
+of 25-30 per cent if drip method of irrigation is adopted.
+The frequency of irrigation depends on the climatic and soil conditions.
+Chrysanthemums are to be irrigated twice a week in the first two weeks and
+subsequently at weekly intervals if flood irrigation is practiced.
+Daily irrigation through drip system can be followed based on the stage of the crop and
+daily evaporation.
+
+Pinching
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+
+•
+•
+
+Pinching is the removal of terminal growing portion of stem to reduce plant height and
+promote axillary branches
+Only soft vegetative shoot tips 1.5 to 3 cm long are removed.
+Pinching is most essential for small flowered chrysanthemum.
+First pinching is done when the plants reach a height of 15-20 cm with 3-4 pairs of
+leaves.
+A second pinching may be necessary if the plants make straggly and lean growth.
+Pinching increases the number of flowering stems in each plant; it can indirectly control
+flowering date and bloom quality; the number of stems to a plant can easily be
+controlled.
+Two types of pinching are performed:
+➢ Soft pinching: By this pinching the top soft tips of the shoot along with 2-3 open
+leaves are removed.
+➢ Hard pinching: It means removing a longer portion up to hard shoot.
+In spray chrysanthemum numerous small to medium sized flowers are produced,
+therefore, two pinchings are required to encourage lateral growth.
+As a general rule rooted cuttings are pinched two weeks after planting or approximately
+100 days before full bloom.
+
+De-suckering
+•
+•
+•
+•
+
+During the vegetative growth phase, chrysanthemum plants grow upwards and suckers
+continue to develop from base of plants.
+For proper and vigorous growth of plants, suckers are removed from time to time.
+It is practiced to allow single stem to develop up to a certain height.
+Without de-suckering the main plant will lose vigour and becomes weak.
+
+Page | 22
+
+Staking
+•
+•
+•
+
+Staking or support is necessary to prevent lodging and to keep the plants erect and to
+maintain proper shape of plants and bloom.
+Stakes are prepared mostly from bamboo sticks.
+Staking of plants is required for vertical support of the plants.
+
+Weeding
+•
+
+Weeding and hoeing are generally done manually as and when required, normally 8-10
+times during the cropping period.
+
+Use of Growth regulators
+•
+•
+
+Crop growth regulation and flowering can be modified or controlled by the use of
+growth regulators. Flower quality and yield can be improved by the use of regulators.
+50 ppm GA3 can be sprayed at 30, 45 and 60 days after planting to increase the flower
+yield.
+
+Harvesting and Post-harvest handling
+•
+•
+
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+
+Chrysanthemum starts flowering in about three to four months after planting.
+Harvesting has to be done during the cool hours of the day. All the containers into which
+the flowers are placed should be cleaned before use.
+Fully opened flowers are plucked with or without the peduncle.
+Decorative types are harvested when the petals in the centre of the topmost flower is
+almost fully developed.
+Spray mums are generally harvested at the two thirds to three-fourths open stage;
+Pot-mums are sent to the market with half to fully opened flowers.
+Damaged/bruised chrysanthemum flowers should be discarded and disposed
+hygienically.
+For local market the loose flowers of chrysanthemum are packed in clean bamboo
+baskets or in gunny bags.
+
+Crop protection:
+Aphids, bud borers, whitefly, leaf miner, thrips and mites are some of the major pests of
+chrysanthemums. Major diseases are rust, white rust, root rot, bacterial blight, leaf spot and
+flower blight and powdery mildew. Integrated approach should be ensured for pest and disease
+management for safe crop production in chrysanthemum.
+
+Insect management
+•
+•
+
+•
+
+•
+
+Grow resistant/tolerant chrysanthemum varieties to avoid/ minimize pest incidence.
+The activity of predatory coccinellid beetles and parasitoids can be encouraged in
+chrysanthemum field to manage aphids. Aphids can be controlled by spraying of neem oil
+@ 0.1 % at weekly interval when infestation starts on the plant. In case of severe infestation,
+spray dimethoate 30 EC @2 ml/litre or acephate 75 SP @1 g/litre.
+To control bud borer, install pheromone traps for monitoring the activity of adults.
+Application of HaNPV @ 250 LE/ha followed by spraying of any neem formulations @ 2
+ml/l is recommended. In case of severe incidence, spray indoxocarb 14.5 EC SC @ 1ml/l
+or thiodicarb 75 WP @ 1g/l.
+In case of leaf miner infestation, remove and destroy weeds which act as alternate hosts.
+Cutting and discarding of heavily mined leaves reduce further damage. Spray of 5 % Neem
+seed powder extract controls leaf miner. In case of severe infestation, spray abamectin 1.9
+
+Page | 23
+
+EC @ 0.5 ml/l or triazophos 40 EC @1.5 ml/litre.
+
+Disease management
+•
+•
+•
+
+•
+•
+
+Spraying of affected plants with Wettable sulphur @ 3g/l or Propiconazole @ 1 ml/ litre
+will control Rust.
+White rust can be managed by spraying the chrysanthemum plants with Azoxystrobin @
+1g/l or Chlorothalonil @ 2g/l
+Root rot can be controlled by drenching with copper oxy chloride @ 2g/l or Bordeaux
+mixture @ 1 %. It can also be managed by spraying and drenching with Ridomil MZ @
+2g/l. Soil application or mixing of Trichoderma viridae and Pseudomonas flourescens with
+FYM is also effective.
+Leaf spot and flower blight can be managed by spraying with mancozeb @ 2 g/l at 10-15
+days interval
+Powdery mildew can be controlled by spraying with sulphur fungicides @ 2g/l or
+Tridemorph @ 1g/l at 15-20 days interval. Carbendazim @ 2g/l or Azoxystrobin @ 1g/l
+also controls the disease.
+
+Page | 24
+
+Chrysanthemum under protected cultivation
+Chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflora) belongs to the family Asteraceae and is
+commonly known as Glory of East / Queen of East/ Autumn Queen/ Guldaudi. It is the
+National Flower of Japan. It is a popular and leading commercial flower crop of many
+countries. In Dutch cut flower auction, chrysanthemum ranks 2nd after rose. It is next only to
+rose in value of international cut flower trade in the world market.
+
+Importance and scope of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)
+In chrysanthemum, the erect and tall growing cultivars are suitable as cut flowers. The extralarge-bloomed cultivars are ideal for their exhibition value. In the production process of cut
+flower chrysanthemums, lot of inorganic fertilizers and plant protection chemicals are being
+utilized.
+Standard package of practices primarily referred as good agriculture practices should be
+adopted for production of chrysanthemum under protected cultivation as a first step towards
+ensuring the production of safe crop. A list of Good Agricultural Practices that should be
+followed for safe production of chrysanthemum under protected cultivation is enlisted below.
+
+Planting material
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+
+For commercial production of chrysanthemums under protected cultivation, use of
+improved varieties /hybrids released by research organizations or planting material
+produced by registered nurseries is recommended.
+The planting material should meet the minimum standards with regard to uniformity, size,
+vigour being true to type and free from pests and diseases.
+Chrysanthemum varieties/hybrids which are resistant to major pests and diseases should
+be used for production.
+Terminal cuttings and tissue culture plants are commonly used for cut flower production
+under protected cultivation.
+Terminal Cuttings of 5-7 cm in length are taken form healthy stock of mother plants. The
+cuttings are prepared removing basal leaves and reducing the leaf area of remaining leaves
+to half. The basal portions (less than half inch) of cuttings are dipped in rooting hormone
+(1000 ppm solution of IBA for 30 sec) for better rooting. The lower portion of cuttings is
+treated with copper fungicide to avoid fungal growth. These cuttings are put in seedling
+protrays or in sand beds in shade conditions.
+
+Cultural practices:
+Growing conditions
+Cut chrysanthemums are grown under protected structures like naturally ventilated
+polyhouses with the following environmental conditions.
+• For getting good flowering stems under protected cultivation, the optimum temperature
+should be 16-18°C during the night and 24-28oC during the day.
+• High relative humidity should be avoided inside the polyhouse. Humidity levels above
+95% produce soft growth, which encourages fungal and bacterial diseases in
+chrysanthemum.
+• It is desirable to maintain a relative humidity of 60-70% during crop growth and flower
+Page | 25
+
+bud development.
+•
+
+CO2 levels of 600 - 900 ppm is recommended in closed environment
+
+Photoperiod
+•
+•
+•
+
+In protected cultivation, the chrysanthemum crop is accurately programmed by
+application of artificial lighting and blacking out treatments
+Long day conditions with 13 hours light and 11 hours darkness should be provided during
+the vegetative stage (up to 4-5 weeks from planting) and short-day conditions should be
+imposed with 10 hours light and 14 hours darkness during the flower bud initiation stage
+For commercial flower production under polyhouses, programmed blooming is necessary
+to ensure year-round availability of flowers.
+
+Land and Bed preparation:
+•
+•
+•
+•
+
+Well drained sandy loam soil rich in organic matter with good texture and aeration or
+growing medium which is composed of soil, compost and cocopeat (1: 1: 2) with pH
+ranging from 5.5 to 6.5 is ideal.
+The beds for growing chrysanthemums are formed with 1 m width, 30 cm height and at
+convenient length.
+The soil pH must be 5.5 to 6.5 with 1 to 1.5 EC (Electrical Conductivity).
+Soil sterilization should be done by drenching the soil beds with 5% solution of
+formaldehyde @ 4 liters/sq.m and covering them with polyethylene sheets for 2-3 weeks.
+
+Planting
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+
+The optimum planting density and spacing is mentioned below
+15x 15 cm (45 plants/m2) for spray chrysanthemums
+12.5 x 12.5 cm (64 plants/m2) for standard chrysanthemums
+Planting of rooted cuttings are done preferably during evening hours.
+After planting the rooted cuttings, a mist of 4-5 m3 water/ 1,000 m2 area is given to wet
+the root and create 85% relative humidity.
+Misting is done regularly in morning and evening for 4-5 days to maintain sufficient
+moisture.
+
+Fertigation
+•
+•
+
+NPK @ 20:20:10 g/m2 is applied through fertigation at weekly intervals
+A foliar spray of 0.2 per cent EDTA micronutrient mixture or ZnSO4 @ 0.25% + FeSO4
+@ 0.2% + Boric acid @ 0.1% at 15 days intervals will improve the growth, physiology,
+yield and quality of cut chrysanthemums.
+
+Irrigation
+•
+•
+•
+
+For successful cultivation of chrysanthemum under protected cultivation, optimum
+moisture should be maintained throughout the growing period. Water can be saved to
+the extent of 25-30 per cent in drip method of irrigation.
+Drip irrigation with 8-9 litres of water/sq.m/day is considered ideal for protected
+cultivation
+Frequency of irrigation depends on stage of growth, soil and weather conditions
+
+Page | 26
+
+•
+
+Proper drainage system should be maintained for chrysanthemum grown in beds under
+protected structures
+
+Support structure / Crop support netting
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+
+Bamboos 4 ft in height or iron guards are fitted every 3 ft along the length of the bed.
+A nylon crop supporting net of 12.5 cm x12.5 cm mesh are spread on this support structure
+before the plant is tall enough to get entangled.
+Use of nylon net ladders provides support against lodging to get straight cut stems under
+protected cultivation.
+When laid horizontally, the support plastic netting in layers becomes a fairly effective
+guide to space-keeping in planting.
+Successive layers of support nets can be fixed at the brackets with continuing growth of
+plants.
+
+Pinching
+•
+•
+•
+
+In spray chrysanthemum, pinching the soft growth at 3-5 leaf stage is done to produce
+many lateral stems and only 2-3 healthy stems are retained per plant after thinning out the
+weaker ones.
+In standard chrysanthemum, only a single stem is retained by disbudding the lateral
+branches and buds as against the removal of the terminal bud in spray types
+For taking one bloom per plant no pinching is done. Only the main stem is allowed to
+grow.
+
+Disbudding
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+
+These operations are mostly performed for large flowered and decorative
+chrysanthemums.
+In standard varieties, all the lateral/ axillary buds are removed and only the largest
+terminal or apical buds are allowed to retain and develop.
+In spray varieties, only the large apical bud is removed and the lateral /axillary buds are
+retained and are allowed to develop
+For taking three blooms per plant, three lateral strong shoots are allowed to grow and
+others are removed.
+Lateral buds and side shoots are removed at their early stage of growth from time to time.
+Removal of undesirable lateral buds and shoots are done.
+
+De-shooting
+•
+•
+
+De-shooting is practiced to reduce the number of branches for improving the size and
+form of the flower.
+Retain 4-5 shoots in standard chrysanthemums and 8-12 shoots in spray chrysanthemums
+
+Desuckering
+•
+•
+
+For proper and vigorous growth of the plant; suckers are removed from time to time.
+Without de-suckering, the main plant will lose vigour and become weak.
+
+Use of growth regulators
+•
+
+Spray of GA3 @ 50 ppm at 30, 45 and 60 days after planting can be done to increase the
+flower stem length.
+
+Page | 27
+
+•
+•
+•
+
+Weeding
+Weeds should be avoided in the greenhouse since they deplete moisture and nourishment
+from plants.
+2-3 hand weedings are required. First weeding should be done one month after planting.
+Weeding and hoeing are done manually as and when required.
+
+Harvesting and Post-harvest handling
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+
+Depending upon varieties plant start yielding flower after 3-4 months of transplanting.
+Correct stages of harvest depend up on the cultivar, marketing and purpose
+Standard chrysanthemums are generally harvested, when outer row of ray florets starts
+unfurling and cease to elongate for distant market and half opened flowers for local
+market
+Spray chrysanthemums are harvested, when 50% flowers have shown colour for distant
+market and when two flowers have opened and others have shown colour for local market
+Cutting of the flower stems should be done at about 10 cm above the soil to avoid cutting
+wooden tissue and leaves from lower one-third of stems are stripped off
+Harvested flowers are to be kept immediately in a clean bucket containing water and floral
+preservatives to avoid desiccation.
+The lower one third of stem are placed immediately in water containing a biocide to
+prevent the growth of microorganisms and to extend the vase life of cut flowers.
+In the packing house, flowers are sorted into different grades as heavy stems 70-80 cm
+and lighter stems of 60 cm and kept in clean buckets at 2°C in cold storage.
+
+Cold storage
+•
+•
+
+The stems after grading are given a cut using sharp blade and precooled at 10 o C minimum
+of 2 hours before packing
+Mature chrysanthemum can be stored dry for 3-8 weeks period at a temperature of 0-3 o
+C.
+
+Packaging of Cut flowers
+•
+•
+•
+
+After harvest, the stems have to be cut at equal length (90 cm is the standard)
+Early morning on day of shipment /night before, bunches can be packed in boxes.
+Wrap flower bunches in cellophane sleeves.
+
+Packaging of Standard chrysanthemums
+•
+•
+•
+•
+
+Bunched in 5, 10, 20 or 25 putting a rubber band at base and slide them into a transparent
+plastic sleeve
+They are placed in sleeves and packed in display boxes / corrugated cardboard boxes
+measuring 91 x 43 x 15 cm (L x W x H)
+It accommodates about 80-100 cut flowers of chrysanthemum.
+They are placed in boxes according to the grades
+
+Packaging of Spray chrysanthemums
+•
+•
+
+10, 15 or 20 stems are placed in sleeves according to the grades
+Six sleeves, three at each end are generally packed in each corrugated cardboard box,
+measuring 80 x 50 x 23 cm (L x W x H)
+
+Page | 28
+
+Crop protection
+Aphids, whitefly, leaf miner, thrips, leaf folder, hairy caterpillars, grubs, red spider mites and
+nematodes are some of the major pests of chrysanthemums under protected cultivation. Major
+diseases are wilt, stem and foot rot, rust, white rust, root rot, bacterial blight, grey mold, leaf
+spot and flower blight and powdery mildew. Viral diseases like chrysanthemum stunt, tomato
+spotted wilt, tomato aspermy, flower distortion, chrysanthemum mosaic and chrysanthemum
+rosette also affect chrysanthemum. Integrated approach should be ensured for pest and
+disease management for safe crop production in chrysanthemum grown under protected
+cultivation.
+
+Insect management
+•
+•
+
+•
+•
+
+•
+•
+
+Growing of resistant/tolerant chrysanthemum varieties to minimize the pest incidence.
+Aqueous spray application of entomogenous fungus Verticillium lecanii (Vertilec) @ 15
+g/lit (108 CFU/g) controls Aphids. Aphids can be controlled by spraying of neem oil @
+0.1 % at weekly interval when infestation starts on the plant. In case of severe infestation,
+spray dimethoate 30 EC @2 ml/litre or acephate 75 SP @1 g/litre. Neem formulations
+can be used in rotation with regular insecticides
+In case of leaf miner infestation, remove and destroy weeds which act as alternate hosts.
+Cutting and discarding of heavily mined leaves reduce further damage and help in
+containing the spread. Spray 0.05% Monocrotophos or 0.05% Triazophos.
+Blue sticky traps can be used for mass trapping of thrips. Release of nymphs and adults
+of predatory minute pirate bug, Orius insidiosus is effective in control of thrips. Spray
+dimethoate 30 EC @ 1 ml/litre or fenitrothion 50 EC @ 1.0 ml/litre 2 or 3 times at 15
+days interval. Application of spinosad is very effective against thrips.
+Spray of 0.05% Dicofol or 0.05% Vertimac or Pentac at fortnightly interval to control
+mites
+Spraying of 0.02% Cypermethrin or 0.02% Decamethrin or 0.05% Quinalphos at
+fortnightly interval is effective to control leaf folder
+
+Disease management
+•
+
+•
+•
+•
+
+•
+
+Use resistant varieties to manage wilt. Before planting, dip the rooted cuttings in a
+solution of Pseudomonas fluorescens @2g/litre of water. Dipping of rooted cuttings in
+Benomyl suspension before planting is also effective. Since wilt disease spreads mostly
+through cuttings, it is important to use disease free planting material. Disease can further
+be minimized by following strict sanitation; periodical monitoring; crop rotation and
+roguing of infected plants. Solarization of soil should be done by using black polythene
+mulch during summer months.
+Sanitation and clean cultivation prevent rust. Early removal of infected leaves/plants
+helps to prevent the further spread of the disease. Spraying of affected plants with
+Wettable sulphur @ 3g/l or Propiconazole @ 1 ml/ litre will control Rust.
+White rust can be managed by spraying the chrysanthemum plants with Azoxystrobin @
+1g/l or Chlorothalonil @ 2g/l
+Root rot can be controlled by soil drenching with copper oxy chloride @ 2g/l or Bordeaux
+mixture @ 1 %. It can also be managed by spraying and drenching with Ridomil MZ @
+2g/l. Soil application or mixing of Trichoderma viridae and Pseudomonas fluoresce with
+FYM is also effective. Provide good drainage conditions to prevent water logging.
+Destruction of disease debris and avoiding excessive irrigation is recommended to
+manage leaf spot and flower blight. Spraying with Mancozeb @ 2 g/l or Copper
+
+Page | 29
+
+•
+
+Oxychloride (0.2%) at 10-15 days interval helps in controlling the disease.
+Powdery mildew can be controlled by spraying with sulphur fungicides @ 2g/l or
+Tridemorph @ 1g/l at 15-20 days interval. Carbendazim @ 2g/l or Azoxystrobin @ 1g/l
+also controls the disease. Good ventilation and proper spacing for free circulation of air
+is recommended.
+
+Page | 30
+
+Aster
+Aster (Callistephus chinensis (L.) Nees.) belongs to the family Asteraceae and is a flowering
+annual cultivated commercially for its colourful and showy plants which are used as loose
+flowers, cut flowers, potted plants and as bedding or border plants for landscaping. Wide range
+of colours, flower forms and plant growth renders aster a versatile crop for varied uses.
+
+Importance and scope of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP):
+Aster is cultivated commercially as a loose flower, cut flower, potted plants and in landscapes.
+Though the produce is not consumed directly, lot of inorganic fertilizers and plant protection
+chemicals go into the crop production.
+• The first step towards producing safe crop begins at the farm level and is the responsibility
+of the grower for which standard package of practices referred as good agriculture practices
+has to be followed.
+• Economical and sustainable production by use of quality inputs in prescribed amounts at
+critical time will help in achieving sustainable production, for which a set of practices is
+enlisted below as for GAP in aster.
+
+Suitable growing conditions
+•
+
+Aster performs well in an open sunny location. Temperature range of 20-30oC during day
+and 15-17oC during night with relative humidity of 50-60% is the most suitable.
+Well drained red loamy soil with pH around 6.0 is the best.
+In places with moderate climatic conditions, it can be grown round the year, however, JulySeptember planting is the most ideal.
+
+•
+•
+
+Planting material
+•
+
+Improved varieties /hybrids released by research organizations or planting material
+produced by registered nurseries should be used for commercial production.
+The seeds should meet the minimum requirement of the standards with regard to
+uniformity, vigour being true to type and being free of pest and diseases.
+As far as possible use varieties/hybrids which are resistant to major pests and diseases.
+Special nutritional requirement for specific varieties/hybrids should be ascertained and the
+nutrient management should be scheduled accordingly.
+Aster is propagated through seeds. The seed rate requirement is 300 g/acre.
+
+•
+•
+•
+•
+
+Cultural practices
+Land preparation
+•
+
+Selection of the site, should be followed by soil and water testing to ascertain the suitability
+for cultivation.
+Well drained loamy to sandy loam soil with adequate aeration and a pH of 6.0. is ideal.
+Land should be ploughed deeply two to three times and brought to a fine tilth.
+Raised beds of 30 cm height, 1.2 m width and convenient length should be prepared
+leaving 40 cm passage between two beds. Raised beds ensure better drainage of excess
+water, ensure aeration for the roots and can be combined with drip irrigation and
+fertigation system.
+
+•
+•
+•
+
+Nursery raising
+•
+
+Seeds are sown in raised beds prepared with fine mixture of red soil, sand and farm yard
+
+Page | 31
+
+•
+•
+
+manure (1:1:1 v/v).
+Seedlings can also be raised in pro-trays with cocopeat as a substrate.
+The seeds must be sown thinly about 0.5 cm deep in rows across the length at 10-12 cm
+apart and covered with a mixture of soil and farm yard manure.
+
+Manures and Manuring
+•
+•
+•
+
+For upkeep of soil health and to improve the organic matter, 8 tonnes of well decomposed
+farm yard manure should be applied in one acre at least 15 days before taking up planting.
+The organic compost/ farm yard manure should be free from pathogens, nematodes, weed
+seeds or any other harmful organisms.
+Bio-fertilizers should be used to reduce the requirement of inorganic fertilizers. Farm
+yard manure should be enriched with bio-fertilizers viz., Azospirillum/Azotobacter,
+Phosphate solubilizing bacteria or Arka microbial consortium @ 1.0 kg each/ tonne of
+farm yard manure and apply to the main field.
+
+Fertilizer application to soil
+•
+
+•
+•
+•
+
+The inorganic fertilizers should be applied based on the soil analysis and
+recommendations only. This will help in providing optimum amount of nutrients to the
+crop. Excess application of fertilizers should be avoided as it will lead to soil and water
+pollution.
+Application of 72:48:24 kg NPK/acre is recommended.
+At the time of planting, full dose of P and K and half dose of N is recommended as
+basal dose whereas the remaining N is applied as top dressing 40 days after
+transplanting.
+Fertilizers should be placed in such a way that it should be easily accessible to the plant
+roots.
+
+Transplanting
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+
+Planting is done on raised beds in four row system with two drip lines per bed.
+Planting is done at a spacing of 30cm x 30cm.
+About one month old seedlings are usually transplanted when they have developed
+about three to four leaves.
+The transplanting should be done preferably during early morning or evening to avoid
+bright sunshine.
+Arka Microbial Consortium@12.5kg/ha or any certified consortium of bio-fertilizers
+can be drenched 2 weeks after transplanting to enhance the growth.
+
+Fertigation
+•
+•
+•
+
+•
+
+Adopt fertigation for better fertilizer use efficiency and higher yield. For fertigation,
+weekly application of the recommended dose of fertilizers can be followed.
+As the fertilizer use efficiency is high under fertigation 75% of the recommended
+fertilizer dose will be adequate to obtain the potential yield thereby resulting in saving
+of 25% fertilizer input.
+In a fertigation schedule, 25 per cent of the total quantity of nitrogen, phosphorus and
+potassium can be applied to soil at the time of planting as straight fertilizers (Urea-40kg,
+Single Super Phosphate-75kg, Muriate of Potash -10 kg /acre/year) to save the cost on
+water soluble fertilizers. Remaining can be injected as through water soluble fertilizers.
+Fertigation can be commenced from the third week after planting and continued at
+weekly intervals.
+
+Page | 32
+
+The weekly fertigation schedule can be as follows:
+0-20 days after planting: No fertigation
+20-40 days after planting: Urea- 14.8 kg; MAP (12:61:0)- 3.9 kg; SOP (0:0:50)-2.4
+kg/ac/ week
+• 40-55 days after planting- Urea- 14.7 kg; MAP (12:61:0)- 11.8 kg; SOP (0:0:50)-7.2
+kg/ac/ week
+• 55-90 days after planting- Urea- 5.9 kg; MAP (12:61:0)- 4.7 kg; SOP (0:0:50)-2.9 kg/ac/
+week
+• If there is a specific recommendation based on the soil analysis for fertigation, the
+schedule can be modified as per requirement.
+•
+•
+
+Irrigation
+•
+•
+•
+
+For successful cultivation, optimum moisture should be maintained throughout the
+growing period. Aster requires 400-450 mm of water per cropping season. Water can
+be saved to the extent of 25-30 per cent in drip method of irrigation.
+The frequency of irrigation depends on the climatic and soil conditions.
+Daily irrigation through drip system has to be followed based on the stage of the crop
+(crop factor) and daily evaporation.
+
+Pinching
+•
+
+Pinching of main shoot at one month after transplanting increases number of nodes,
+branches, flowers per plant and flower yield per unit area.
+
+Inter culture
+•
+
+Earthing up is an important operation to prevent lodging of erect varieties.
+
+Weeding
+
+•
+•
+
+The beds should be kept weed free throughout the crop period.
+Regular hand weeding may be done in early stages of crop growth.
+
+Harvesting and post-harvest handling
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+
+Fully opened individual flowers or flowers along with stalk are harvested for garland
+making, whereas for cut flower, the whole plant is harvested when 60 per cent flowers are
+fully opened
+Harvesting has to be done during the cool hours of the day. All the containers into which
+the flowers are placed should be cleaned before use.
+Precooling of flowers to remove the field heat is an important operation to lower
+respiration and prolong the shelf and vase life of flowers.
+Damaged/bruised flowers should be discarded and disposed hygienically.
+For local market the loose flowers are transported in bamboo containers lined with cloth
+or with wet gunny bags or in gunny bags or polythene bags lined with newspaper.
+Cut flowers are bunched and transported in containers holding water.
+
+Crop protection
+Aphids, leaf hoppers, leaf miner, thrips and mites are some of the major pests of aster. Major
+diseases are collar rot, and wilt. Integrated approach to pest and disease management ensures
+better control and in safe crop production.
+Page | 33
+
+Insect management
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+
+Grow resistant/tolerant varieties to avoid/ minimize pest incidence.
+Flower caterpillars can be controlled by spraying fenvalerate 20 EC @ 0.5 ml/l or neem
+seed kernel extract 5%. If the incidence is severe, spray indoxacarb 14.5SC @ 1 ml/l.
+Stem borer can be managed by collecting and destroying infested shoots. Spray
+profenophos 50 EC @ 1 ml/l or ethofenprox 10 EC @ 1ml/l. If the incidence is severe,
+apply carbofuran 3G granules @ 1 kg.a.i./ha (33 kg/ha).
+Spraying acephate 75 SP @ 1.5 g/l or dimethoate 30 EC @ 2 ml/l or spraying Neem or
+Pongamia oil 1% at early incidence is recommended for controlling the aphids.
+To control Leaf miner, spray triazophos 40 EC @ 1.5 ml/L for management. Repeated
+sprays are to be avoided.
+Mites can be managed by spraying dicofol 18.5 EC @ 2.5 ml/l or fenazaquin 10 EC @ 1
+ml/l or profenofos 50 EC @ 1 ml/l.
+
+Aster yellow management
+•
+•
+•
+
+Since disease is transmitted by leaf hoppers, prophylactic spray with systemic insecticides
+in rotation has to be taken up.
+Destruction of diseased plant immediately after the appearance of the symptoms helps in
+minimizing the spread of the disease.
+Keep the field weed free and maintain proper distance from other crops that can act as host
+is important for management of this problem.
+
+Disease management
+•
+•
+
+Collar and root rot can be controlled by drenching the soil with captan (2 g/l), mancozeb (2
+g/l) and metalaxyl (1 g/l).
+For management of wilt, Benlate (0.1%) or carbendazim (0.1%) can be used.
+
+Page | 34
+
+Gerbera under protected cultivation
+Gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii Bolus ex. Hook F) belongs to the family Asteraceae and is
+commonly known as Transvaal daisy, Barberton daisy or African daisy. It is an important cut
+flower, potted plant and is also ideal for beds and borders in gardens. The flowers are
+available in wide range of colours including yellow, orange, cream white, pink, red and
+various other intermediate shades. Based on the flower heads, they are grouped into single,
+double and semi-double. Major gerbera producing states in India are Karnataka, Maharashtra,
+Uttarakhand, Assam, Meghalaya, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Himachal Pradesh, Manipur,
+Mizoram, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.
+
+Importance and scope of Good Agricultural Practices:
+Safe production of crops is being emphasized worldwide. Many of the flower crops are used
+for aesthetic purpose and only a few are directly consumed or used as food additives.
+• Gerbera is mainly used commercially as a cut flower and as potted plants. Though the
+produce is not consumed directly, lot of inorganic fertilizers and plant protection
+chemicals go into the production of this crop, to achieve the prescribed quality standards.
+• The first step towards producing safe crop begins at the farm level and is the responsibility
+of the grower for which standard package of practices referred as good agriculture
+practices has to be followed.
+• Cultivation of gerbera in polyhouse in closed environments increases the risk of workers
+being exposed to harmful chemicals. Meeting concerns on the welfare and safety of
+persons working or living in the farm is the sole responsibility of the producer/ grower.
+• Economical and sustainable production and use of quality inputs at critical crop phases to
+make production sustainable also is a major aspect of GAP. A set of practices is enlisted
+below for GAP in Gerbera.
+
+Suitable growing conditions:
+•
+•
+
+Gerbera requires sufficient sunlight for growth and flower production. However, too much
+of sunlight can reduce the flower quality and hence partial shade has to be provided using
+shade nets.
+The optimum day and night temperature is 27oC and 14oC respectively. For flower
+initiation, the optimum temperature is 23- 25oC.
+
+Planting material
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+
+Improved varieties /hybrids released by research organizations or planting material
+produced by registered companies of India should be used for commercial production.
+The planting material should meet the minimum requirement of the standards with regard
+to uniformity, size, vigour being true to type and being free of pest and diseases.
+As far as possible use varieties/hybrids which are resistant to major pests and diseases.
+Special nutritional requirement for specific varieties/hybrids should be ascertained and the
+nutrients management should be scheduled accordingly.
+Propagation through tissue culture is the most common method and is a large scale and
+commercial method of multiplication of gerbera. Suckers can also be used by division of
+clumps though it is not a common practice in many of the commercial units for cut flower
+production.
+
+Page | 35
+
+Cultural practices
+Land preparation
+•
+
+Selection of the site, should be followed by soil and water testing and if needed further
+reclamation has to be done.
+Well drained deep loamy soil with adequate aeration and a pH of 5.5 to 6.5 will ensure
+effective nutrient uptake by the plants.
+The EC of soil should be 0.5-2.0 dS/cm2.
+Land should be ploughed deep 2 to 3 times and brought to a fine tilth.
+The growing media comprising of a mixture of soil, sand, cocopeat and well decomposed
+farm yard manure (15 t/ha) has to be fumigated with 2% formaldehyde (100 ml formalin
+in 5 liters of water per sq.m. area).
+Thoroughly drain the fumigants from the media before planting.
+Raised beds of 30-45 cm height, 0.6 m width and convenient length should be prepared
+leaving 40 cm passage between two beds. Raised beds ensure better drainage of excess
+water, ensure aeration for the roots and can be combined with drip irrigation and
+fertigation system.
+
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+
+Manures and Manuring
+•
+
+For upkeep of soil health and to improve the organic matter, 20 tonnes of well
+decomposed farm yard manure should be applied in one hectare at least 15 days prior to
+planting.
+The organic compost/ farm yard manure should be free from pathogens, nematodes, weed
+seeds or any other harmful organisms.
+Five tonnes/ ha of well decomposed FYM/vermicompost/ deoiled neem cake has to be
+enriched by mixing with 2 kg of each of Pseudomonas fluorescens + Trichoderma
+harzianum + Paecilomyces lilacinus formulation under shade. It has to be covered with
+mulch and optimum moisture of 25 - 30% has to be maintained for a period of 15 days.
+This has to be incorporated into the beds before planting for control of nematodes.
+Bio-fertilizers should be used to reduce the requirement of inorganic fertilizers. Farm yard
+manure should be enriched with bio-fertilizers viz., Azospirillum/Azotobacter, Phosphate
+solubilizing bacteria or Arka microbial consortium @ 1.0 kg each/ ton of farm yard manure
+and apply to the main field.
+
+•
+•
+
+•
+
+Fertilizer application to soil
+•
+
+•
+•
+•
+
+The inorganic fertilizers should be applied based on the soil analysis and
+recommendations only. This will help in providing optimum amount of nutrients to the
+crop. Excess application of fertilizers should be avoided as it will lead to soil and water
+pollution.
+Application of 10:15:20 g NPK/m2/month during first three months of planting and
+15:10:30 g NPK/m2/month from fourth month when flowering starts.
+Fertilizer application in two splits at 15 days interval is desirable for good growth and
+increased flower production.
+Fertilizers should be placed in such a way that it should be easily accessible to the plant
+roots.
+
+Planting
+•
+•
+
+Gerbera planting is normally done in two seasons viz., January to March and June to
+August.
+Tissue cultured plug plants (4-5 leaves) should be planted in such a way that their crown
+
+Page | 36
+
+•
+•
+•
+
+is slightly above the soil. Care has to be taken to avoid covering of the crown by the
+growing media.
+Planting is done at a spacing of 30cm x 30cm. After planting, relative humidity inside
+the greenhouse should be kept 70-80% or shade net should be remaining closed for 46 weeks to avoid desiccation of plants.
+As a precautionary measure drench Copper oxy chloride (COC) @ 2.0g/l immediately
+after planting.
+Arka Microbial Consortium@12.5kg/ha /any certified consortium of bio-fertilizers can
+be drenched 2 weeks after transplanting to enhance the growth.
+
+Fertigation
+•
+•
+•
+
+•
+
+Adopt fertigation for better fertilizer use efficiency and higher yield. For fertigation,
+weekly application of the recommended dose of fertilizers can be followed.
+As the fertilizer use efficiency is high under fertigation 75% of the recommended
+fertilizer dose will be adequate to obtain the potential yield thereby resulting in saving
+of 25% fertilizer input.
+In a fertigation schedule, 25 per cent of the total quantity of nitrogen, phosphorous and
+potassium can be applied to soil at the time of planting as straight fertilizers (Urea-30g,
+Single Super Phosphate-40 g, Muriate of Potash -35 g/m2) to save the cost on water
+soluble fertilizers. Calcium nitrate@ 15g/m2 is also applied as basal dose. Remaining
+can be injected as through water soluble fertilizers.
+Fertigation can be commenced from the third week after planting and continued at
+weekly intervals.
+The fertigation schedule can be as follows:
+• Vegetative phase (up to 3MAP)- 0-20 days- no fertigation; 21-90 days- Urea-5g, Mono
+ammonium phosphate-1.0g, Sulphate of potash-4.0 g/m2per fertigation/ week
+• Flowering phase (4MAP onwards)- Urea-2.5g, Mono ammonium phosphate-1.5g,
+Sulphate of potash-7.0 g/m2 per fertigation/week
+• If there is a specific recommendation based on the soil analysis for fertigation, the
+schedule can be modified as per requirement.
+
+Micronutrients
+•
+
+Foliar spray of micronutrients such as boron, calcium, magnesium and copper @ 0.15%
+at monthly intervals is found to give quality blooms.
+
+Irrigation
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+
+For successful cultivation, optimum moisture should be maintained throughout the
+growing period. Gerbera requires 800-900 mm of water per year. Water can be saved
+to the extent of 25-30 percent in drip method of irrigation.
+The frequency of irrigation depends on the climatic and soil conditions.
+Daily irrigation through drip system has to be followed based on the stage of the crop
+(crop factor) and daily evaporation. Replenish water by substituting 80% of the
+evaporation loss.
+Farmers should be encouraged to adopt water harvesting and conserving techniques for
+better utilization and efficiency for the important natural resources.
+Quality of water used for irrigation is equally important and water quality should be
+tested periodically. The irrigation water should be free from excess carbonates,
+bicarbonates and chlorides.
+
+Page | 37
+
+Inter culture
+•
+•
+
+Leaf pruning has to be done at regular intervals. Retain only 14-15 green leaves/plant at
+a given time.
+This helps in improving air circulation and minimizing the incidence of foliar diseases. It
+also eases the cultural operations like spraying.
+
+Weeding
+•
+•
+
+The beds should be kept weed free throughout the crop period.
+Resort to manual weeding. In general, 3-5 manual weeding will be required for the entire
+cropping period.
+
+Harvesting and post-harvest handling:
+• Gerbera starts flowering in about three months after planting.
+• Harvesting of flowers should be done when outer two rows of disc florets have fully
+developed or when outer row of disc florets is perpendicular to the stalk.
+• The cut flower should be pulled rather than cut, because cutting leaves a stem stub on
+growing plant that encourages the development of diseases.
+• Engage trained workers to ensure clean harvesting without any damage to the flowers
+• Harvesting has to be done during the cool hours of the day. All the containers into which
+the flowers are placed should be cleaned before use and hold clean water.
+• Precooling of flowers to remove the field heat is an important operation to lower
+respiration and prolong vase life of flowers.
+• Grading of the flowers have to be done based on stalk length, flower diameter and quality
+of flowers discarding diseased, damaged and abnormal flowers.
+• Damaged/bruised flowers should be discarded and disposed hygienically.
+• The individual flowers are sleeved using polyfilm cups to prevent petal damage during
+handling and transport.
+• For local market, 10 flowers are bunched and transported in containers holding water. For
+distant markets, up to 50 sleeved flowers are transported in telescopic cardboard boxes of
+dimension 100 x 10x 30 cm.
+• Gerbera can withstand dry storage at 2-50C for two days and wet storage at 4-70C for four
+days.
+• Maintenance of proper cold chain post-harvest to arrival at the consumer end prolongs the
+vase life and retains the flower quality.
+
+Crop protection
+Aphids, whitefly, leaf miner, thrips and mites are some of the major pests of gerbera. Nematode
+infestation also is widely found in gerbera polyhouses. Major diseases are crown and root rot,
+flower bud rot and powdery mildew. Integrated approach to pest and disease management
+ensures better control and in safe crop production.
+
+Insect management
+•
+•
+•
+•
+
+Grow resistant/tolerant varieties to avoid/ minimize pest incidence.
+Aphids and white fly can be controlled by spraying Imidacloprid @ 2 ml/l or Dimethoate
+30 EC @ 2 ml/l
+Spray insecticides like Imidacloprid (0.005%), or Fipronil (0.01%) at fortnightly intervals
+after planting to manage sucking pests.
+Apply neem cake @ 250 kg/ha to the soil to reduce leaf miner incidence. Spray Abamectin
+
+Page | 38
+
+•
+
+•
+•
+
+1.9 EC @ 0.4 ml/l to control leaf miner.
+If mite incidence is noticed, spray Neem soap 1 % or neem oil 1% mixed with synthetic
+acaricide like dicofol 18.5 EC @ 1.5 ml/l or wettable sulphur 80 WP (3.0 g/l). Spray lower
+surface of the leaves where mites are generally found. Abamectin 1.9 EC @ 0.4 ml/l is
+also effective against mites.
+Yellow sticky trap and blue sticky traps can be installed to monitor and attract sucking
+pests. This will also prevent transmission of virus to plants as these sucking pests act as
+vectors.
+Need based spray of spinosad 45 SC @ 0.3ml/l, indoxacarb 14.5 SC @ 0.75 ml/l or
+flubendiamide 20 WG @ 0.2 g/l is effective for borers.
+
+Nematode management
+
+•
+•
+•
+•
+
+•
+•
+
+Use of nematode free planting material and growing antagonistic crops like marigold,
+mucuna (velvet bean) before planting gerbera
+Maintaining the polyhouse free from weeds and alternate hosts
+Application of carbofuran 3G @ 1 kg a.i./ha (33 kg/ha) before planting
+Apply 5 tonnes of FYM or 500 kg of neem cake / pongamia cake or one tonne of
+vermicompost/ha enriched with Pseudomonas fluorescens + Trichoderma harzianum +
+Paecilomyces lilacinus during the land preparation or on the beds 5 – 10 days before
+planting.
+Mix 20 kg of bio-pesticide enriched neem cake / pongamia cake in 200 litres of water, the
+supernatant can be used for drenching @ 2 lit/ sq. m. or filter it thoroughly and send along
+the drip, once in an interval of 30 days.
+Alternatively, Arka Plant Growth Enhancer and Yield Promoter can be given through drip/
+drenching/spraying @ 5ml/ lit. at regular interval of 30 days.
+
+Disease management
+•
+•
+•
+
+Drench the plants with captaf (0.2%) or carbendazim (0.1%) after planting to prevent root
+rot.
+Foliar application of copper oxy chloride (0.2%) for the control of crown rot and flower
+bud rot.
+Foliar application of Wettable Sulphur @ 2g/l or Azoxystrobin @ 1g/l for the management
+of powdery mildew.
+
+Page | 39
+
+Gladiolus
+Gladiolus (Gladiolus hortensis L.), belongs to the family Iridaceae. It is one of the most
+popular ornamental bulbous plants having a pivotal place as cut flower both in the domestic as
+well as the international market. From the commercial point of view, it is a very important
+flower crop due to its majestic flower spikes having florets of varying shapes, sizes, colours
+and excellent keeping quality.
+
+Importance and scope of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)
+Gladiolus is relatively easy to grow flower crop and is ideal for bedding and exhibition. The
+flowers are used in flower arrangement, in bouquets and for indoor decorations. Demand of its
+cut flower for bouquet and other floral arrangement is increasing day by day due to its long
+vase-life and economic value. The concept of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) has assumed
+importance in recent years in the context of the concerns on environmental sustainability of
+agriculture. In the production practices of gladiolus, lot of inorganic fertilizers and plant
+protection chemicals are being utilized. Appropriate adoption of Good Agricultural Practices
+and use of quality inputs at optimum time enables economical and sustainable gladiolus crop
+production. A set of Good Agricultural Practices that is needed to be followed for gladiolus
+crop production is enlisted below.
+
+Planting material
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+
+For commercial production of gladiolus, improved varieties or hybrids released by research
+organizations and state agricultural universities or planting material produced by registered
+ornamental nurseries should be used.
+Gladiolus corms should meet the minimum requirement of the standards with regard to
+size, uniformity, vigour and should be free of pest and diseases.
+Efforts should be made to use gladiolus varieties/hybrids which are resistant to major pests
+and diseases.
+The nutritional requirement for varieties should be ascertained and schedule the nutrient
+management accordingly.
+Gladiolus can be commercially propagated by corms of 4-5 cm diameter.
+Conical shaped corms / high crowned corms are preferred over flat ones as propagule to
+achieve uniform crop stand.
+
+Cultural practices
+Land preparation
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+
+The site selected for gladiolus planting should be sunny protected from stormy winds, by
+wind breaks or hedge.
+They will not perform well if planted in shaded and poorly drained places. Poor drainage
+will result in rotting of corms.
+Site selection should be followed by soil and water testing to ensure the suitability for
+cultivation.
+Well drained fertile loamy to sandy loam soil with adequate aeration and pH of 6.5-7 is
+highly preferred for gladiolus cultivation.
+The soil must be ploughed to a depth of at least 30 cm.
+Raised beds with dimensions of 30cm height, 90 cm width and convenient length should
+be prepared leaving 40-50 cm path width between two beds.
+Raised beds ensure adequate drainage of excess water, ensures proper aeration for the
+roots and can be combined with drip irrigation and fertigation system.
+
+Page | 40
+
+Manures and Manuring
+•
+
+For the proper upkeep of soil health and to improve the soil organic matter, 20 tonnes of
+well decomposed farm yard manure should be applied in one hectare at least 15 days prior
+to planting.
+It should be ensured that organic compost/ farm yard manure used should be free from
+weed seeds, pathogens, nematodes, or any other harmful microbes.
+Well decomposed FYM/Vermicompost/ Neem cake has to be enriched by mixing with 1
+kg of each of biocontrol agents like Pseudomonas fluorescens + Trichoderma harzianum
++ Paecilomyces lilacinus formulation under shade. It has to be covered with mulch and
+an optimum moisture of 25 - 30% should be maintained for a period of 15 days.
+Intermittent mixing should be done to ensure proper and uniform distribution of moisture.
+After 15 days, it has to be incorporated into the beds before planting for control of
+nematodes.
+Well decomposed FYM should be enriched with bio-fertilizers viz.,
+Azospirillum/Azotobacter, Phosphate solubilizing bacteria or Arka microbial consortium
+@ 1.0 kg each/ tonne of farm yard manure and apply to the main field. This will reduce the
+requirement of inorganic fertilizers.
+
+•
+•
+
+•
+
+Fertilizer application to soil
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+
+Excess and non-judicious application of inorganic fertilizers should be avoided as it
+will lead to soil and water pollution.
+Inorganic fertilizers should be applied based on the analysis of the soil and
+recommendations only. This will help in providing optimum amount of nutrients to the
+crop.
+Application of 120 kg N, 150 kg P2O5 and 150 kg K2O per hectare is recommended
+At planting time, 60 kg N and entire dose of P2O5 and K2O is applied as basal dose.
+The remaining N is given in two split doses, 30 and 60 days after planting. i.e. first dose
+at 4-6 leaf stage and second at earthing up stage i.e. 6-8 weeks after planting.
+Fertilizers should be applied in such a way that it should be easily accessible to the plant
+roots.
+
+Planting
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+
+•
+
+Planting of gladiolus corms is done on raised beds in double row system with one drip
+line per bed.
+To encourage sprouting of corms, the brown dry scales or the tunics are removed.
+The corms should be disinfected properly before planting to reduce the chances of
+disease infestation.
+Gladiolus corms which are healthy, disease free with diameter of 4 to 5 cm should be
+selected and planted at a spacing of 30 x 20 cm and depth of 5 to 10 cm.
+Shallow planting of corms is essential. Deep planting will result in poor production of
+cormels and also cause decaying of corms.
+Planting is done during September - October and the corms are planted up to NovemberDecember.
+Arka Microbial Consortium@12.5kg/ha /any certified consortium of bio-fertilizers can
+be drenched 2 weeks after planting to enhance the growth.
+
+Page | 41
+
+Irrigation
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+
+Judicious use of water is possibly the most important single factor in the production of
+the best gladiolus spikes.
+Optimum moisture should be maintained throughout the growing period for successful
+gladiolus crop production
+Soil should have sufficient moisture at the time of planting so that no irrigation is
+required till sprouting.
+Frequency of irrigation depends on the prevailing climatic conditions and type of soil.
+A gladiolus crop must not be allowed to suffer from water stress especially when spikes
+are emerging.
+During warm weather conditions, irrigation to the crop can be done twice a week, and
+once in a week during winter.
+Over watering should be avoided.
+After harvesting of the flower spikes, watering should be reduced.
+Irrigation should be withheld at least 4-6 days before lifting of corms. This would help
+in easy and effective lifting of corms and cormels.
+
+Inter culture
+•
+•
+•
+•
+
+When the shoots are about 20 cm tall, they are covered by heaping the soil up to a height
+of 10 to 15 cm.
+Earthing up is essential after 6-8 weeks of planting corms, or before the emergence of
+spike. This enables the plants to grow erect despite high winds and rains and suppresses
+weed growth.
+Earthing up the soil is a must in case of light soils. These plants need staking for its
+satisfactory growth and if not staked may fall or break due to wind.
+In cases where the spikes grow longer or stems are not strong enough to bear the lodging
+by wind, they are supported with about 1.5 meters strong stakes.
+
+Weeding
+•
+•
+
+The beds should be kept free from weeds throughout the crop period.
+Regular need based manual weeding is required for the entire cropping period.
+
+Harvesting and post-harvest handling
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+
+After planting the corms, gladioli blooms in two to three months, depending upon the
+species and variety.
+The flower spike should be cut as close to the base as possible with a sharp knife or a
+scissors after the first floret on the spike has opened. The other florets on the same spike
+will open when placed in water.
+While harvesting or cutting of the spike, care should be taken that at least four to six basal
+leaves should be retained on the plant to ensure proper development of corms and cormels.
+For the local market, flower spikes are cut when 1-2 lower most florets on the spike have
+opened and for the distant market, when the colour has fully developed in mature unopened
+buds.
+Immediately after cutting, the spike should be immersed (up to 15 cm from base) in a clean
+bucket containing water
+Harvesting of spikes should be done during the cool hours of the day.
+Precooling of flower spikes to remove the field heat may be followed to lower respiration
+and prolong the vase life.
+Damaged/bruised flower spikes should be discarded.
+
+Page | 42
+
+•
+
+Cut flower spikes are bunched and transported in clean containers holding water.
+
+Harvesting and Storage of Corms
+Lifting of Corms and Cormels
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+
+Once the spikes are cut out, the leaves begin to turn yellow.
+Plenty of moisture, followed by a dry period, before lifting ensure the formation of large
+corms.
+Gradually the water supply is reduced till the leaves get dried naturally.
+After 3 - 4 weeks corms and cormels are lifted from the ground.
+Corms are matured when 25% cormels have become brown which generally take 30 to
+45 days from flowering when the leaves also start yellowing.
+Corms and cormels should be dug out with the help of a spade.
+Soil should be dug deep in order to take out all the cormels.
+The corms are checked for any disease infection and the affected corms are discarded.
+
+Curing of corms
+•
+•
+•
+
+Curing is one of the essential post-harvest operations for successful storage of corms.
+After lifting and removing the adhering soil, the corms and cormels of each cultivar are
+kept in trays in a shady but well-ventilated place for about a fortnight.
+For curing, the layers of corms should not exceed three, which may be cured for five
+weeks at 21°C.
+
+Cleaning, Grading and Storage of corms
+•
+•
+•
+
+After the corms are fully cured, these are cleaned, and diseased ones discarded.
+Treat the corms with carbendazim (2g/l) or captan (2g/l) and dried under shade which
+protects them from diseases during storage.
+The corms and cormels are graded in different grade-sizes and cold stored at 4 to 6oc
+
+Crop protection
+Aphids, thrips, bud borer, cut worms, loopers, grubs, beetles and bulb mites are the common
+insect pests of gladiolus. Nematode infestation also is widely found in gladiolus. Gladioli are
+infected by several fungal, bacterial and viral diseases. Gladiolus is highly susceptible to fungal
+diseases like wilt, corm rot, leaf and flower blight, leaf spot, dry rot or neck rot, storage rot etc.
+Integrated approach to pest and disease management ensures better control and in safe crop
+production.
+
+Insect management
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+
+Grow resistant/tolerant varieties to avoid/ minimize pest incidence.
+Thrips
+can be controlled by drenching the soil with chlorpyriphos (0.1 %) and spraying
+of dimethoate 30 EC @2 ml/litre or acephate 75 SP @1g/litre or imidacloprid 17.8 SL @
+0.5 ml/litre at 2 weeks interval
+Bud borers can be managed by application of HaNPV@ 250 LE/ha followed by spray with
+neem formulation@ 2ml/l. Spray quinalphos 25 EC @ 2ml/l at fortnightly interval
+Cut worms can be managed by application of SINPV @ 250 LE/ha followed by spray with
+neem formulation @ 2 ml/l. Spray quinalphos 25 EC @ 2ml/l or cypermethrin 10 EC @ 1
+ml/l at fortnightly interval
+Spraying of neem or pongamia oil 0.1 % controls mites. If the mite incidence is severe,
+
+Page | 43
+
+•
+
+spray abamectin 1.9 EC @ 0.5 ml/l
+Avoid spraying of the same insecticide repeatedly, as it may result in insecticide resistance
+by the target pest.
+
+Nematode management
+
+•
+•
+•
+
+•
+•
+
+Use nematode free planting material and grow antagonistic crops like marigold, mucuna
+etc. before planting gladiolus corms
+Treat gladiolus corms with bio-pesticides like Pseudomonas fluorescens or Trichoderma
+harzianum or Paecilomyces lilacinus @ 10g/kg.
+1 tonne of well decomposed FYM should be enriched with 2kg each of the biocontrol
+agents like Trichoderma harzianum, Pseudomonas fluorescens and Paecilomyces lilacinus
+and left under shade for 2 to 3 weeks at 25 – 30% moisture. This has to be thoroughly mixed
+once in three days and applied in field prior to planting.
+For the standing crop, biopesticide enriched neem cake can be mixed in water (1: 10 ratio),
+thoroughly filtered and applied through the drip or as soil drench.
+Chemical nematicide, carbofuran 3 G @ 1 kg a.i. per ha can be applied at planting and
+repeated after 45 days.
+
+Disease management
+•
+
+•
+•
+
+In order to control Fusarium wilt, it is advisable to destroy the infected corms from the field
+and to spray systemic fungicide like Bavistin (2g/l) on the soil as well as on the plants in
+the affected field. Treat the corms and cormels with Carbendazim (2g/l) and captan (2g/l)
+for 20 minutes before planting and after harvesting.
+Corm rot can be managed by hot water treatment with fungicide Carbendazim ((2g/l) and
+captan (2g/l)
+Leaf and flower blight can be controlled by spraying mancozeb @ 2 g/litre of water at
+weekly or 10 days intervals.
+
+Page | 44
+
+Crossandra
+Crossandra [Crossandra infundibuliformis L. (Nees).] commonly known as 'Fire Cracker' plant
+is a herbaceous perennial, evergreen semi-shrub growing to a height of up to 4 feet. It is an
+important commercial loose flower crop having great demand in the form of garlands, venis
+and gajras for hair adornment, religious and decorative purpose. Though not fragrant,
+crossandra flowers are very popular because of their attractive bright colour, light weight and
+good keeping quality.
+
+Soil and Climate
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+
+Well drained sandy loam and red soils with pH of 6 - 7.5 are ideal.
+Soil has to be tested for nematodes before planting.
+It requires a temperature of 30°- 35°C for growth.
+If planted in shaded conditions, yield will be reduced
+It is susceptible to low temperature and frost.
+
+Propagation
+Local crosssandra is multiplied through seeds. However, the triploid varieties are propagated
+through terminal cuttings.
+
+Nursery raising
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+
+Use fresh seeds that were harvested during the previous season
+Use seeds that are in good condition and free of pests
+In case of rooted cuttings, take cuttings from a healthy, vigorous and disease-free mother
+plant
+Raised nursery beds of around 15 cm height should be prepared
+Fresh seeds are sown during July-October in raised beds at 15 cm apart in lines
+Watering should be done immediately after sowing and also daily.
+The seedlings will be ready for transplanting in 60 days.
+The required seed rate is 5 kg/ha for optimum plant population.
+In triploid varieties, the terminal cuttings of length 10 cm, preferably with two buds has to
+be taken.
+The distal end will be dipped in 1000 ppm IBA for 30 seconds and planted in media
+consisting of 1:1 ratio of sand and cocopeat inside growth chamber with 90% humidity.
+The cuttings will be ready by 30 days.
+
+Field preparation and planting
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+
+Ensure correct spacing between plants and rows
+If you plan to plant other crops as an ‘intercrop’ then select compatible species which do
+not compete with main crop for inputs
+If you are collecting your own seeds, label the seed packets with details of the species, the
+origin and date of harvest or collection
+Do not use seeds or planting material that are in poor condition or if you do not know where
+they came from and when they were harvested
+Do not use seeds or planting material if you do not know exactly which species and variety
+they belong to
+Procure seeds or planting material from reliable sources
+The land has to be ploughed three or four times.
+FYM @ 25 t/ha is incorporated and mixed well in the soil.
+
+Page | 45
+
+•
+•
+
+Ridges are formed 60 cm apart.
+Two plants in a bed are recommended with 60 cm in between plants and lines.
+
+Manuring and fertilizer application
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+
+Mix 2 kg each of Azospirillum and Phosphobacteria with 100 kg of FYM / ha and apply to
+the soil at the time of planting.
+A fertilizer dose of 33.3: 60: 60 kg/ha N: P2O5: K2O is applied as basal dose.
+The crop is top dressed twice with 33.3 kg N per ha each time, the first at 3 months after
+transplanting and the second 8-9 months after transplanting.
+The application of fertilizers is to be necessarily followed by irrigation.
+On 30 days after planting, apply neem cake 250 kg and N 40 kg/ha. Again on 90 days after
+planting, apply N P K 40:20:60 kg/ha and repeat this dose at quarterly intervals for a time
+period of two years.
+
+Inter-cultivation
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+
+Manage weeds before they start competing with the main crop for nutrients and light
+Do not allow weeds to produce seeds – this will increase weed growth the following year
+Do not allow the soil to dry up due to excessive weeding
+Weeding, application of fertilizer and earthing-up can be combined together for easy
+maintenance of the crop.
+Periodic removal of the dry spikes has to be done to enhance the yield
+
+Irrigation
+•
+•
+•
+
+Irrigation is done once or twice in a week depending upon the soil moisture and weather
+conditions
+If drip irrigation is adopted, irrigation can be given daily. This system conserves water
+besides reducing weed growth.
+Use mulch to maintain moisture in the soil and to inhibit growth of weeds
+
+Harvesting
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+
+Crossandra flowers within two to three months after planting and continues to bear flowers
+throughout the year with a lean production season during rainy months.
+Fully opened flowers are to be picked early in the morning by pulling the corolla out of
+the calyx.
+All the tools used for harvesting and containers into which the flowers are placed should
+be cleaned before use
+Harvesting of flowers is to be done on alternate days.
+The yield of flowers is about 5-10 t/ha.
+The crop duration is 3 years including ratoon crop.
+
+Plant Protection
+Insect-pest management
+Scale insects
+•
+•
+•
+•
+
+Removal and burning of heavily infested leaves will check pest build up.
+Clean cultivation and use of insect proof nets helps in prevention of whitefly incidence.
+Spray 1.0 % neem oil or pongamia oil at weekly interval.
+Spray of Beauveria bassiana or Lecanicillium lecanii formulations @ 2.0 ml/l during
+evening hours.
+
+Page | 46
+
+•
+
+Spray with acephate 75 SP @ 1.5 g/l at fortnightly interval alternating with pongamia oil
+@10 ml/l.
+
+Whitefly
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+•
+
+Removal and burning of heavily infested leaves will check pest build up.
+Clean cultivation and use of insect proof nets helps in prevention of whitefly incidence.
+Install yellow sticky traps to monitor the activity of the adult fly.
+Spray with acephate 75 SP @ 1.5 g/l at fortnightly interval alternating with pongamia oil
+@ 10 ml/l.
+Spray of Beauveria bassiana or Lecanicillium lecanii formulations @ 2.0 ml/l during
+evening hours.
+If the activity of adults is more, spray with dichlorvos 76 EC @ 1.0 ml/l followed by lambda
+cyhalothrin 5 EC @ 1.0 ml/l or deltamethrin 2.8 EC @ 1.0 ml/l at 5 - 7 days interval.
+
+Disease management
+Foot and root rot
+•
+•
+•
+•
+
+Planting of disease-free seedlings
+Growing the seedlings in raised beds drenched with Captan
+Avoiding water stagnation by providing good drainage and earthing up
+Application of neem cake to control nematode infestation @ 50-100 g / plant depending on
+the age of the plant
+• Prophylactic application of Captan as soil drench at the time of planting in the main field
+• Application of Fosetyl-Al as soil drench two or three times at monthly interval during
+monsoon season when the disease takes a heavy toll.
+
+Page | 47
+
+REFERENCES
+•
+
+Arka Flower varieties and Production Technology. (Eds.) Tejaswini, P., Usha Bharathi, T.
+and Sujatha A. Nair. (Pub) Director, ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research,
+Bengaluru, (https://iihr.res.in/arka-ebook/i/) EB. No. 2/2021
+
+•
+
+Bhattacharjee, S.K. and L.C. De. (2010)., Advanced Commercial Floriculture. Aavishkar
+Publishers, Distributors, Jaipur.
+
+•
+
+Bhattacharjee, S.K.2018. Advances in Ornamental Horticulture. Pointer Publishers, 2065
+p, 6 Vols, ISBN: 8171324320
+
+•
+
+Datta, S.K. and Gupta, V.N. 2012. Year-round cultivation of garden chrysanthemum
+(Chrysanthemum moriflium Ramat.) through photoperiodic response. Science and
+Culture.,78 (1-2):71-77.
+
+•
+
+Kher, M.A. (1993). Chrysanthemum. In: Commercial Flowers eds. TK. Bose and L.P. Yac
+av. Published by Naya Piokash, 206 Bidhan Sarai, Calcutta. pp. 417-486.
+
+•
+
+Kumar, R., De, L.C. and Baiswar, P. (2007). Production of chrysanthemum under
+greenhouse condition. (In) MTC on 'Advanced Technologies for Production of Commercial
+Flower Crops under Green House Condition' at ICAR-NRC for Orchids, Pakyong, Sikkim
+
+•
+
+Rao, T.M. & Kumar, R. 2019. Production technology of flower crops- A hand Book. (Pub)
+Director, ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru, pp:122.
+
+•
+
+Safeena S. A, Thangam, M., Priya Devi, S., Desai, A.R., Arunachalam, V., Mathala Juliet
+Gupta and Singh, N. P. 2014. Ready Reckoner on Cultivation of Gladiolus, Technical
+Bulletin No: 43, ICAR Research Complex for Goa (Indian Council of Agricultural
+Research), Ela, Old Goa-403 402, Goa, India
+
+Page | 48
+
+