Influence of Light Intensity and Seasonal Variations on Yield and Quality of Selected Cut Foliage Crops

Abstract

Dracaena reflexa var. Variegata, Dracaena reflexa var. Green, Melaleuca bracteata and Philodendron ‘Xanadu’ plants were grown under green polypropylene shade nets permitting different light levels 388.50 to 647.50 μ mol m-2 s -1 (25% shade net), 314.5 to 481 µ mol m-2 s-1 (50% shade net) and 240.50 to 370 µ mol m-2s-1 (75% shade net) for two consecutive years at ICAR-IIHR, Hessaraghatta. The optimum light levels and seasonal variations on cut foliage production and quality were evaluated. Dracaena reflexa var. Variegata, Dracaena reflexa var. Green and Melaleuca bracteata performed well under the light intensity range of 388.50 to 647.50 μ mol m-2 s-1 (25% green shade net) for cut foliage production. Philodendron ‘Xanadu’ yielded maximum number of superior quality cut foliage when cultivated in the light intensity range of 240.50 to 370 µ mol m-2 s-1 (75%shade net). The production was the highest during winter months in Dracaena reflexa var. Variegata, Dracaena reflexa var. Green and Philodendron ‘Xanadu’ and during the summer months in Melaleuca bracteata. Peak production during the winter months is favourable for the growers to export the cut foliage to countries having severe winter but the demand is huge during the festive season.