Puja Sharma’s research while affiliated with Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry and other places

Tinting is a crucial technique for enhancing the visual appeal of flowers and increasing their market value. This study was conducted with an aim to Standardize the use of food dyes and their concentration for tinting at Dr. YS Parmar UHF, Nauni, Solan, H.P., to evaluate the impact of different food dyes and their concentrations on the coloration of various Ornamental Kale genotypes. In this experiment, three genotypes (Kt OK-2, Kt DH-19, and Nagoya) were tinted with food dyes at two concentrations viz., 3% and 5% for 24 hours. The results revealed that tinting with Apple Green dye for 24 hours achieved the maximum vase life, the shortest time to visible colour appearance, and the lowest dye solution uptake. Overall, all the dyes proved effective for tinting Ornamental Kale. Among the genotypes, 'Kt OK-2' produced the most visually appealing results. Thus, tinted stems provide a wider spectrum of colours while boosting the product's market value, offering increased financial benefits to florist through value addition.

The present investigation was carried out at the experimental farms of Horticultural Regional training station and Krishi Vigyan Kendra at Kandaghat (Solan) Himachal Pradesh, India under polyhouse conditions. It was laid out in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 24 combinations of growing media M1: Soil+ Sand+ FYM (1:1:1v/v), M2:Cocopeat+Soil+Sand+ Leafmould+FYM (2:1:1:1v/v), M3:Cocopeat+Perlite+Vermiculite+Vermicompost (2:1:1:1 v/v), M4:Cocopeat + Vermicompost + Leafmould (2:1:1 v/v), growth regulator [G1: Control (0 ppm), G2:Benzyl adenine (150 ppm),G3: CPPU (10 ppm)] and pinching methods [P1:Single pinch and P2:Double pinch] which were replicated thrice each having 10 pots accommodating one plant per pot. Plants were raised through terminal cutting and were planted in 6-inch size pots. Study revealed that maximum plant height (33.13 cm), plant spread (33.37 cm), length of side shoots (24.67 cm) and minimum number of days taken for visible bud formation (92.40 days), number of days taken for peak flowering (160.60 days) was recorded when the single pinched plants were grown in media consisting cocopeat + Vermicompost + Leafmould (2:1:1 v/v) and sprayed with 150 ppm of benzyl adenine. However, maximum number of side shoots (27.33), number of flowers per plant (55.67), number of flowers per plant open at a time (42.93), duration of flowering (24.67days) was recorded when double pinched plants were grown in growing media consisting of cocopeat + vermicompost + Leafmould (2:1:1 v/v) and were sprayed with 150 ppm of benzyl adenine. The maximum flower diameter (4.61 cm) was recorded when single pinched plants were grown in medium consisting cocopeat + vermicompost + leafmould (2:1:1 v/v) and sprayed with 10 ppm of CPPU. Based on the present investigation findings, double pinched plants of Fuchsia x hybrida grown in pots consisting of growing media i.e., cocopeat + vermicompost+ leafmould (2:1:1 v/v), sprayed with 150 ppm of benzyl adenine is recommended to obtain quantitative and attractive pot plants of Fuchsia x hybrida.

The precise knowledge of the environmental influence on the growth and development of any crop is crucial in order to understand the suitability of any cultivar for commercial cultivation in a particular region. The present study investigated the estimation of the genetic variability, heritability, genetic advance (GA), genetic gain and correlation among 38 tulip genotypes. The study was undertaken at the experimental farm of the Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (HP, India) from 2018 to 2020 with the objective to evaluate the performance of different genotypes of tulip under mid-hills of Himachal Pradesh. The findings revealed that high genotypic coefficient of variance (GCV) was recorded for flower size, number of bulbs/plant, scape length, plant height, bulb weight, leaf area, days to sprouting and duration of flowering. Character such as plant height, scape length, duration of flowering and days to flower opening recorded high heritability coupled with moderate GA. Scape length, plant height, flower size, number of leaves/plant, bulb weight, leaf area, days to sprouting, flowering duration, vase life and bud length recorded high heritability and highest genetic gain. Significant positive correlation was recorded for plant height, leaf area, bud length and vase life etc. Maximum positive direct effect of flowering duration, vase life, days to flower opening, plant height, number of bulbs/plant and weight of bulblets/plant etc., on the weight of bulbs/plant revealed the true relationship between them, thus suggesting that these traits should be considered in selection programme.

The study was carried out at Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, on China aster [Callistephus chinensis (L.) Nees] cv 'Poornima' and 'Kamini' in nursery under open field conditions in randomized block design (factorial) comprising eight seed priming treatments, viz. control, hydropriming with water, priming with GA 3 (50, 100 and 150 ppm) and biopriming with Trichoderma viride @ 1× 10 4 cfu/ml, 1× 10 5 cfu/ml and 1× 10 6 cfu/ml for 24 hr. There was maximum speed of germination (18.97, 21.58), germination percentage (83.17, 86.33 %), root length (2.87, 2.93 cm), shoot length (6.39, 6.59 cm), seedling length (9.26, 9.52 cm), seedling dry weight (227.67, 248.30 mg), seed vigour index-I (769.89, 822.19), seed vigour index-II (18,934.33, 21,436.62); minimum time taken to seed germination (12.72, 11.33 days) and days required to reach 4-6 leaf stage (23.70, 22.33 days) with priming treatment GA 3 (100 ppm) in Poornima and Kamini, respectively. Hence, it is concluded that seeds of Kamini treated with GA 3 (100 ppm) for 24 hr obtained best results for most of the desirable character for quality nursery production of China aster. China aster [Callistephus chinensis (L.) Nees] is an important commercial flower belonging to family Asteraceae. Flower production of China aster is often hampered by the availability of poor quality of seeds, which is mostly connected with unfavourable weather conditions during seed development and maturation (Yu-jie et al., 2009). One such method of improvising the seed quality is seed priming, i.e. controlled hydration followed by redrying that helps to reduce germination time, harmonize germination, improves seed germination rate and quality of seedlings for the better crop establishment in many crops (Varier et al., 2010). The plant growth regulators like GA 3 has improved the growth and yield parameters in many fruit crops (Patil et al., 2017; Priyadarshi and Hota, 2021). Seed priming has presented surprise results for flower crops like pansy, marigold, gladiolus and China aster. Primed seed has effective results on growth, flowering (Pangtu et al., 2018) and seed yield (Pangtu et al., 2018). Therefore, effect of seed priming on quality nursery production of China aster. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study was carried out at Dr YS Parmar, University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, Himachal Pradesh. The primed seeds along with non-primed seeds were sown in raised beds in July under open field conditions. For nursery bed preparation, soil was dug up to a depth of 30 cm and well-rotten farmyard manure at the rate of 5 kg/m 2 was added and mixed well. Raised nursery beds about 6 inch from ground and 2 m × 3 m (length × breadth) were prepared. In nursery beds, treatments were arranged in a randomized blocked design (factorial) having eight treatments with three replications each containing 200 seeds. Seeds were sown in rows 5 cm apart. After placing seeds in rows, these were covered with a fine layer of sieved farmyard manure. Irrigation of nursery bed was done with the help of watering can having fine rose. Nursery bed was then covered with polyethylene sheet. This polyethylene sheet was removed as soon as seeds start germinating. Seedlings of about four to six leaf stage were used for transplanting.

The current study was conducted at Experimental Farm of Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, Dr. YS Parmar UHF, Nauni, Solan, H.P. during the year 2019-2020 to determine the ideal Jeevamrit dosage for enhancing the physico-chemical and microbiological characteristics of soil for irisAt intervals of 15 days, sixteen applications of jeevamrit were applied as a foliar spray and drench. Three replications of the field experiment were set up using Randomized Block Design (RBD). The study showed that treatment T16, which involved both 7.5% Jeevamrit drenching and 15.0% Jeevamrit foliar application, had the most positive impact on soil quality. This treatment resulted in the highest organic carbon level (1.48), nitrogen content (362.59 kg/ha), phosphorus content (137.48 kg/ha), potassium content (267.85 kg/ha), and a high count of viable bacteria (75.63 ×106 cfu/g soil), viable fungi count (28.57 ×104 cfu/g soil), and viable actinomycetes count (45.90 ×103 cfu/g soil). Additionally, this treatment had the lowest pH and EC levels.

Flowering plants are extremely important in our daily lives due to their aesthetic value. The distinctiveness of various flower types is greatly valued, with double blossoms having more ornamental value than their single counterparts. Researchers have presented a novel ABCDE model that builds on the classic ABC model and discovered critical transcriptional variables to identify floral organs. In this new model, A+E designate sepals, A+B+E denote petals, B+C+E represent stamens, C+E indicate carpels, and D+E symbolize ovules. To breed cultivars with novel flower forms, a range of technologies are used, including hybridization, mutation, polyploidy, and genetic engineering. The genetic control of single, semi-double and double flower forms can be attributed to either a single gene or numerous genes. It is possible to successfully develop double flowers by carefully choosing the right hybridization techniques. The selection of mutants with modified apparent characteristics, such as altered flower color, shape, size, leaf form and growth habit, also becomes feasible through induced mutagenesis. By doubling the number of chromosomes, polyploidy breeding doubles plant size, leaf size, branch development and flower components. Genetic engineering has made it possible to manipulate a variety of features though biotechnological developments like RNAi, CRES-T, CRISPR/Cas9 and miRNA. These traits include flower color, fragrance, resistance to abiotic stress, disease and pest resistance, alteration of plant and flower form and architecture, flowering time and post-harvest longevity. The shapes of plants like torenia, chrysanthemum, morning glory, petunia, orchids, gentian, cyclamen and rose plants, among others have been successfully altered using these techniques. Inspite of the abundance of these techniques, only a small number of cultivars have been created for commercial purpose. Key words : Ornamental crops, ABCDE flower model, Flower form, Mutation, Polyploidy, Genetic engineering.

Concern over the aesthetics of urban environments has grown in recent years. Urban landscaping is the process of improving the physical appearance of an urban area while maintaining or improving its usability and functionality for both people and their animal counterparts. Improving urban landscapes is a good method to make cities more competitive and a way to bring old, run-down neighborhoods back to life. Most people on Earth live in urban regions, and globalization is projected to exacerbate this rapid economic expansion and urbanization trend. Although humans interact with their surroundings through a variety of senses, sight is the most common source of perception in everyday life. Comparing access to nature to surroundings that are entirely man-made, access to nature can offer better stress relief and healing. Urban vegetation also addresses the issue of urban heat islands by providing shade, absorption, and a cooling impact owing to evapo-transpiration. Numerous construction projects, road widening, and industrialization are to blame for the majority of environmental damage in towns. The urban environment has been disrupted, and most of the vegetation has been destroyed. However, by storing CO2 as biomass, growing trees in urban areas has the potential to lower the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere. We have negatively affected the ecological system around us due to the indiscriminate felling of forests, uncontrolled industrial expansions, and excessive wastage of natural resources. This has led to a deterioration in our overall living standards and the quality of the environment. Therefore, it is crucial to address this issue and properly plan the landscaping of urban areas. Keywords: Landscaping, Urban landscape, Gardening, Ornamental Plants, Nature Conservation

In a world where culinary enthusiasts seek evermore tantalizing and flavoursome dishes, the aesthetics and nutritional content of food have gained paramount significance. Edible flowers have emerged as a charming addition to certain dishes, enhancing their allure and visual appeal. This age-old practice of incorporating edible blooms into meals for their nutritional and sensory attributes has seen a remarkable resurgence globally. Edible flowers have become a prevailing culinary trend in many nations, driving a substantial surge in their consumption. Recent research endeavours have shed light on the diverse array of phytochemicals, antioxidants, bioactive compounds, and nutraceutical components concealed within these edible blossoms. And provides a succinct synthesis of the current body of knowledge concerning the utilization of edible flowers, emphasizing their nutritional and sensory value. Furthermore, it examines the most commonly encountered species of edible flowers in contemporary culinary practices. Keywords: Edible flowers, Food, Phytochemicals, Nutritive value, Ornamental plants