AGRICULTURE

Tuberose has good export market
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, January 16
PAU floriculturist Dr Ramesh Kumar and Dr G.S. Sidhu have advised farmers to grow flowers and said flowering plant such as tuberose can be successfully grown in the plains of India. It blooms profusely in the summer and monsoon. Most artistic garlands and floral ornaments are made from its flowers and used for bouquets and in buttonholes. The tuberose flower is a good source of essential oil that is used for the preparation of various perfumes and cosmetics. Moreover, tuberose has got a very good export market, because it is now more popular than ever in Europe and it does not flower during winter months in temperate countries. In Punjab it starts flowering in May and continue producing spikes till November-December. Flowering depend on the bulb size. Bulbs 2.5 cm and above in diameter are the earliest to flower. Normally plantain is maintained for 2-3 years in the field but plating flowering grade bulbs are preferred for a single season production.

The scientists further said that the tuberose is grown on a wide range of soil and climatic conditions but it thrives and flowers best in warm and humid climate, temperature above 40° C reduced the size of the spike and the quality of flowers. Very low temperature and frost also damage the plants and flowers. Optimum temperate range is 20° C to 30° C.

Two varieties of tuberose i.e. single - Calcutta and double - Rajat Rekhar are suitable for cultivation.

As far as soil preparation is concern, tuberose grow in sunny condition as well as in partial shade. It flourishes in a well-drained sandy loan soil rich in organic matter with pH range from 6.5 -7.0. Soil should be well tilled and levelled at the time of planting. Beds should be of 90 cm wide long stops with 45 cm working space.

March-April is the best time for planting. Bulb should be planted on raised flat beds. Distance between row to row and plant to plant is 9” x 9”. It requires sufficient soil moisture for proper growth and flower production but frequency of irrigation depends upon soil and weather conditions.

The flower spike for table decoration can be cut when the first pair of lower flowers are fully open.

The experts said incidence of nematodes has been observed in North India and can be controlled by dipping of 0.2 per cent nuvacron 40 EC for half an hour or soil application of Thimet @ 16 kg per acre is also effective. Fusarium and Botrytis are the common diseases. These can be controlled by dipping the bulbs in 0.2 per cent Bavistin or spray 0.2 per cent Captan at fortnightly intervals.

IGNOU’s induction meeting today
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, January 16
Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) will conduct a two-day nationwide induction meeting through video teleconferencing for its freshly admitted students from today.

During the programme, the Vice-Chancellor and the Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the university and the directors of different divisions will be available to respond to the queries made by the students.

The programme will be inaugurated by Prof H.P. Dikshit, Vice-Chancellor, IGNOU, on January 17 at the Electronic Media Production Centre, New Delhi.

More than 3 lakh students are expected to participate in the programme from different locations. IGNOU’s study centre functionaries are engaged in making the programme a big success, said Dr U.C. Pandey, the Regional Director of IGNOU for Punjab and Chandigarh, said.

In Punjab and Chandigarh, IGNOU has downlink facilities at the Department of Correspondence Courses, Panjab University, Chandigarh, Commonwealth Youth Programme, Asia Centre, Chandigarh, Punjabi University, Patiala, Doaba College, Jalandhar, IGNOU Regional Centre, Khanna, and Guru Nanak Girls College, Ludhiana.

Apart from this, under a women empowerment project of IGNOU, downlink facilities have been created at Faridkot and Muktsar as well. Dr Pandey said this facility had been provided at some other educational institutions so that the students under the conventional system of education could also take advantage of high-quality academic programmes of the university. 

Principal attends Science Congress

Doraha, January 16
Dr Harpreet Gill, Principal, Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Senior Secondary School, Kottan, participated in the 91st Indian Science Congress held at Panjab University, Chandigarh.

The topic of her presentation was ‘Delinquency in Adolescents from Broken and Intact Homes.’ This paper was part of her research work. It reflected on how the adolescents residing with divorced parents had diverse psycho-somatic problems.

She stressed that the adolescents needed more attention and guidance from both parents. OC

Teachers oppose contract system
Our Correspondent

Amloh, January 16
The Elementary Teachers Training (ETT) Union, Punjab, has opposed the appointments of teachers on contract. “Such appointments will not help in improving the standard of education in the state, which has been placed at the 17th position in the standard of education in the country,” said Mr Davender Singh Rehal, the state president of the union, in a press note issued here today.