2. INTRODUCTION :
• Tuberose occupies a very selective and special position among the
ornamental bulbous plant for its beauty , elegance and sweet pleasant
fragrance.
• It has a great economic potential for cut flowers trade and essential oil
industry.
•Due to their great demand, it is currently cultivated in most of the tropical
and sub-tropical countries of the world.
•India has a long tradition of floriculture.
3. CULTIVARS:
There are three types of tuberose :-
i. Single with one row of corolla segments,
ii. Semi-double bearing flower with 2-3 rows of corolla segment,
iii. Double having more than three rows of corolla segment.
4. TUBEROSE :
VARIETIES :
Cultivars Varietal Characters
Rajat Rekha
It is a single flowered variety released
by NBRI, Lucknow. The flowers have
silvery white streaks along the middle
of blade.
Shringar
It is a single flowered variety released
by IIHR, Bangalore. The flower bud is
attractive with slightly pinkish tinge. Its
loose flowers are ideal for making
garland while spikes can be used as cut
flowers. Yield of loose flower is about
15,000 kg/ha/yr. . Shringar is preferred
by farmers and industries due to its
higher flower yield.
5. Cultivars Varietal Characters
Single Mexican
It is a single flowered variety.
Produces maximum f lowers during
october – december, which is
considered as lean months for
tuberose flowers yield.
Swarna Rekha
It is a double flowered variety
released by NBRI, Lucknow. The
flowers are double and the leaf
margin is streaked with golden yellow
6. Cultivars Varietal Characters
Suvasini
It is flowered variety released by
IIHR, Bangalore. It is a cross
between single and double. This
variety produces more flowers per
spike. The spike are best suited for
cut flowers.
8. REQUIRED ENVIRONMENT:
A. Climate :-
• Tuberose grows in mild climate without extremes of high and low
temperature even though it can be grown under a wide range of climatic
conditions .
• In , India the commercial cultivation of tuberose is mainly confined in warm
humid area with average temperature range from 200 to 350 centrigrade.
• Temperature above 400 C reduces the spike lenght and quality of the flowers.
• Very low temperature and frost also damage the plant and flowers.
• Tuberose grows well in sunny situation.
9. B. SOIL :-
• Tuberose grows in a wide range of soils.
• Its cultivation can also be extended economically in almost unproductive soils
affected by salinity and alkalinity .
• Loam and sandy loam soils having pH range from 6.5 to 7.5 with good aeration
and drainage are considered suitable for its cultivation .
• The soil should be rich in organic matter and retain sufficient moisture for
proper growth .
• FYM and leaf mould in proportion of 2:1:1 should be used.
10. C. PROPAGATION :-
• Tuberose is mainly propagated vegetatively by means of bulb.
• Although , not yet very common , propagation may also be done by the
division of bulbs.
• To get virus free material or for a very rapid multiplication , the
propagation is done through tissue culture.
11. CULTIVATION PROCESS :-
A. Site selection : Generally for optimum growth and high yield of flowers it is
preferable to choose a place having plenty of sunlight. A little shade towards the
later part of the afternoon is desirable in hot summer.
B. Soil preparation : The field should be worked deep to a good tilth and
properly manured . If the soil is not throughly prepared and contain soil clods or
decomposed organic matter, bulb production is affected and it also reduces the
yield and quality of flowers. Well rotten cowdung or farmyard manure @ 50
tonnes/ha, should be incorporated with the soil about a month before planting.
Care should be taken to make the land free from weeds.
C. Bulb selection and planting :- Selection of good planting material is
necessary for obtaining higher yield and good quality of flowers. Generally bulbs
having diameter 2.0-3.0cm are suitble for planting. It is observed that planting
of bulbs having 2.6-3.0 cm recorded the highest yield of spikes and flowers.
12. E. Weed control:- Weed become a serious problem in the cultivation of
tuberose . If these weeds are not removed in time, growth and productivity will
be markedly reduced. Manual weeding is effective if done frequently. Generally,
after each irrigation weeding is done.
F. Manureing and fertilization: The requirement for manures and
fertilizers for tuberose vary with climatic conditions and soil types. During the
preparation of soil a basal application of leaf mould, farmyard manure or cattle
manure @ 20-50 tonnes/ha. High dose of N and P markedly promotes leaf and
bulb formation in tuberose. These treatment also improves flowering. The
effect of K has been less pronounced than N and P in these respect. The plant
treated with less dose of N and P shows growth inhibition and fails to flower.
Tuberose responds to fertilizer application but should not be fertilized with
D. Irrigation :- Soil moisture is an important factor affecting growth and
flowering in tuberose irrigation should be done before planting to provide
optimum moisture for sprouting anf further irrigation should be avoided until
the bulb have sprouted . The tuberose field should be irrigated at 10-15 days
interval if weather is dry. It has been suggested that during summer months
( April-June) the crop should be irrigated at weekly interval and during winter
at 10 days interval.
13. excess N as the flower spike become quite tall and soft, making it vulnerable to
wind and the plant become more susceptible to diseases and pest. The flower
quality is also affected adversely. The effect of deficiency of various element is
given in the table below.
Sl.
No.
Fertilizer Element Deficiency Symptoms
1. Nitrogen
Reduction in number of spikes and
number of flowers per spike; typical pale
green foliage.
2. Phosphorus
Dark green upper leaves and purple
colouration in lower leaves; and
reduction in growth and flowering.
3. Calcium
Cracking of the spike, bud rot in case of
acute deficiency.
14. G.Diseases and pests:-
Common diseases are - a) Stem rot
b) Botrytis spots and blight
c) Leaf spot
d) Flower bud rot
Sl.
No.
Fertilizer Element Deficiency Symptoms
4. Magnesium Interveinal chlorosis of older leaves.
5. Iron Interveinal chlorosis of new leaves.
6. Boron Cracking of leaf margins, deformation of
leaves and stunted infloresence.
7. Manganese Yellowing between the veins of lower
leaves.
15. Common pests are- a) Grasshopper
b) Weevil
c) Thrips
d) Aphids
e) Red spider mites
Botriyis Blight Leaf spot
17. HARVESTING :-
• Tuberose is harvested by cutting the spikes from the base for table
decoration or the individual flower is picked from the spike for making
garlands and other floral ornaments.
• Picking of flowers should be done in cool hours of the day either in the
morning or in the evening.
• Harvesting of flowers on the previous evening and marketing in the next
morning leads to a weight loss of about 40 per cent.
• The flowers spike for vases should be cut when the first pair of flowers fully
open, with a sharp knife and place immediately in water.
• HARVESTING OF FLOWERS:
18. • HARVESTING OF BULBS :
• Harvesting of tuberose bulbs at proper stage of maturity is important for
storage of bulbs and their subsequent growth after planting.
• The bulbs reach maturity when the flowering is over and plant growth ceases,
depending on the environmental condition and soil moisture
