Effects of NPK and 6-Benzylaminopurine on Growth and Flowering of two Orchid Genera

By : Ngapui R, Purnima Gogoi, S. P. Viji, K. Chowlu

Page No: 93-99

Abstract
Rising demand of herbal medicine and environmental degradation necessitates the development of more productive management practices for many valuable orchid species. The Nitrogen Phosphorous and Potassium fertilization and 6-Benzylaminopurine application has been advised as a practice to address these trends. However, it is not known at what rate the plant would efficiently endorse the growth. Performance of three NPK ratios viz; (10:10:10), (20:10:15) and (30:10:15) with three dosages i.e. 1, 2 and 3 g L-1 for each ratio and nine concentrations i.e. 15, 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 175 and 200 mg L-1 of BAP supplement on two rare orchids Dendrobium densiflorum and Phaius tankervilleae was evaluated in green house condition. At 1 g L-1 of (30:10:15) ratio NPK application, both the species showed significantly highest plant height, leaf length, leaf width and number of leaves. Shortest time interval from inflorescence emergence to first flower opening was observed at 200 mg L-1. The results indicate that NPK with high N and K promote vegetative growth and the cytokinin (BAP) 200 mg L-1 has great potential for speeding up flowering process in both the genera.

Authors :
Ngapui R, Purnima Gogoi, K. Chowlu and S. P. Vij : Centre for Orchid Gene Conservation of Eastern Himalayan Region, KVK-Sylvan campus, Senapati district - 795129, Manipur, India.