Class 12 Agriculture and Floriculturist Chapter 1 Cultivation of Commercial Flower Crops — I

Class 12 Agriculture and Floriculturist Chapter 1 Cultivation of Commercial Flower Crops — I Solutions English Medium As Per AHSEC New Syllabus to each chapter is provided in the list so that you can easily browse through different chapters Class 12 Agriculture and Floriculturist Chapter 1 Cultivation of Commercial Flower Crops — I Question Answer and select need one. Class 12 Agriculture and Floriculturist Chapter 1 Cultivation of Commercial Flower Crops — I Notes Download PDF. AHSEC Class 12 Elective Agriculture and Floriculturist Question Answer English Medium.

Class 12 Agriculture and Floriculturist Chapter 1 Cultivation of Commercial Flower Crops — I

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Also, you can read the NCERT book online in these sections Solutions by Expert Teachers as per Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Book guidelines. AHSEC Class 12 Elective Agriculture and Floriculturist Textual Solutions are part of All Subject Solutions. Here we have given AHSEC Class 12 Agriculture and Floriculturist Chapter 1 Cultivation of Commercial Flower Crops — I Textbook Solutions English Medium for All Chapters, You can practice these here.

Cultivation of Commercial Flower Crops — I

Chapter: 1

A. Fill in the Blanks: 

1. For China aster cultivation, ____________ soil is best with a pH range of ___________. 

Ans: Sandy loam, 6.8 – 7.5.

2. In China aster application of FYM, _____________ tonnes and ____________ NPK kg/ha are found beneficial. 

Ans:  10–15, 120:80:120.

3. Individual flowers are harvested for making ____________ and _______________. 

Ans: Garlands and worshipping.

4. China aster is commonly propagated by _______________. 

Ans: Seed.

5. For commercial cultivation of China aster, the seed rate requirement is _________________ kg/ha.

Ans: 2.5–3.0.

B. Multiple Choice Questions:

1. Optimum temperature range required for China aster during the day and night is — 

(a) 20–30oC and 15–17oC.

(b) 30–35oC and 17–19oC. 

(c) 25–35oC and 13–15oC. 

(d) 35–40oC and 19–21oC. 

Ans: (a) 20–30oC and 15–17oC.

2. China aster can be planted at ______________ cm spacing. 

(a) 20 × 20 or 35 × 35 

(b) 25 × 25 or 40 × 40 

(c) 35 × 35 or 50 × 50 

(d) 30 × 30 or 45 × 45 

Ans: (d) 30 × 30 or 45 × 45

3. Normal growing season of China aster is ____________________. 

(a) June–July and October–November.

(b) February–March and July–August. 

(c) May–June and September–October. 

(d) November–December and April–May.

Ans: (c) May–June and September–October. 

4. Yields of China aster is about ____________ tonnes/ha loose flowers. 

(a) 14–16 

(b) 18–20 

(c) 20-22 

(d) 22–25 

Ans: (b) 18–20 

5. A serious insect pest of China aster is — 

(a) Aster beetle (Epicauta pennsylvanica). 

(b) Leafhopper (Macrosteles fascifrons). 

(c) Tarnished plant bugs (Lygus lineolaris). 

(d) Root aphid (Anuraphis maidi-radicis).

Ans: (a) Aster beetle (Epicauta pennsylvanica). 

C. Subjective Questions:

1. Define pinching in aster. 

Ans: This is an important practice in some varieties of China aster for getting precocious flowering. Pinching of main shoot at one month after transplanting in variety ‘Ostrich Plume Purple’ gave a significant increase in the number of nodes, branches, flowers, and flower yield but delayed the flowering by 8–12 days.

2. Name any five varieties of China aster.

Ans: Kamini, Poornima, Phule Ganesh Pink, Phule Ganesh Purple, Phule Ganesh Violet, Phule Ganesh White, Shashank, and Violet Cushion are Indian bred varieties.

3. Describe propagation of China aster.

Ans: Plants of China asters are commercially propagated through seeds and for one hectare of planting, 2.5–3.0 kg seed is required which is first sown in the nursery and then transplanted. Seeds in the nursery are sown during September–October, and seedlings are transplanted when they attain a height of 10 cm, in about a month.

4. Write about planting and transplanting of China aster.

Ans: In and around the Bengaluru region, the crop can be grown throughout the year, though main seasons are May–June and September–October. In the subtropical regions such as Delhi, its sowing time is September–October, and transplanting is done in October–November, whereas in the temperate regions in the country the seeds in the nursery are sown in September while transplanting is done during October.

D. Match the Columns:

Ans:

A. Fill in the Blanks:

1. Pinching in chrysanthemum is done by ________________ of the growing tips of the plants at ______________ stage. 

Ans: Hand removal, 10–15 cm.

2. Standard chrysanthemum is harvested when ____________ but before ___________________ begins to elongate. 

Ans: Fully open, central disc.

3. Chrysanthemum is commonly known as ________________ or _________________. 

Ans: Queen of East or Autumn Queen.

4. Chrysanthemum flowers, which have invisible disc, are ________________ and ________________. 

Ans: Pompon and decorative.

5. Chrysanthemum can be commercially propagated by ______________ and _______________ cuttings.

Ans: Suckers and terminal. 

B. Multiple Choice Questions:

1. The critical day length required for flower initiation and flower development of chrysanthemum is — 

(a) 14–15 hours and 13–14 hours. 

(b) 11–12 hours and 12–13 hours. 

(c) 10–11 hours and 9–10 hours. 

(d) 16–17 hours and 15–16 hours. 

Ans: (a) 14–15 hours and 13–14 hours. 

2. Chrysanthemum can be grown on the soil pH of about — 

(a) 7.5 

(b) 6.5 

(c) 5.5 

(d) 4.5 

Ans: (b) 6.5 

3. Terminal or tip cuttings of ____________________ for chrysanthemum should be taken from a healthy stalk. 

(a) 7–10 cm.

(b) 10–15 cm. 

(c) 5–8 cm. 

(d) 15–20 cm.

Ans: (c) 5–8 cm.

4. ___________ are used to control the outside growth of heavy bloomers pots plants of chrysanthemum. 

(a) 7–10 stakes. 

(b) 10–12 stakes. 

(c) 1–2 stakes. 

(d) 3–5 stakes. 

Ans: (d) 3–5 stakes.

5. Removal of suckers from the base of chrysanthemum is known as ______________ . 

(a) De-suckering. 

(b) Pinching.

(c) Stopping. 

(d) Disbudding and de-shooting. 

Ans: (a) De-suckering.

6. ____________ is the removal of the growing tips of plants at 10–15 cm stage which results in the production of several lateral shoots. 

(a) De-suckering. 

(b) Pinching or stopping. 

(c) Disbudding. 

(d) Topping.

Ans: (b) Pinching or stopping.

C. Subjective Questions:

1. How the varieties of chrysanthemum are classified?

Ans: Broadly, these are classified into seven groups: Single, Anemone, Pompon, Decorative, Incurved, Reflexed, and Intermediate (formerly incurving). Chrysanthemum varieties can be classified as Standard varieties (large flowered varieties) . Spray varieties (small flowered varieties).

2. Write about the vegetative propagation of chrysanthemum.

Ans: Commercially, chrysanthemum is propagated through suckers and terminal cuttings, but it is done even through seeds for evolution of new varieties though many of the improved varieties do not set seeds except the certain small-flowered spray and pompon types.

Suckers: When flowering is over, the stem of chrysanthemum is cut off just above the ground to induce suckering. After sufficient growth, the suckers are separated and planted in sandy soil, and those having well-formed roots are directly transplanted in the field.

Cuttings: Terminal or tip cuttings, 5–8 cm long, are taken from a healthy stalk. Cuttings dipped in Seradix or 500 ppm IBA are inserted 3–5 cm apart, in sand beds, made under filtered light, followed with irrigation immediately and daily until 3–4 weeks when these become ready for transplanting.

3. What is disbudding in chrysanthemum?

Ans: Disbudding is the removal of side buds to control the number and size of flowers. In large flower type cultivars, immature flower buds are removed to get large size flowers or a large number in small flower type cultivars. In standard types and others where only one largest bud is desired, other axillary buds around the centre are removed. In spray varieties, the large central bud is removed and the lateral ones are allowed to develop depending upon the type of spray to be produced.

4. Write about staking in chrysanthemum and give its advantages.

Ans: Stakes in chrysanthemum are very necessary to keep the plants straight, in proper shape, and to support the plants from lodging when in bloom, especially in case of taller varieties. Normally used stakes are prepared from willows and bamboos. For a single bloom production, only one stake is required but for heavy bloomers, three to five stakes are used to control outside growth of the plants in pots. The stakes should always be slightly smaller than the level of blooms for a perfect and spectacular viewing.

D. Match the Columns:

Ans:

A. Fill in the Blanks: 

1. Commercially, tuberose is propagated by ____________. 

Ans: Bulbs and bulblets.

2. Semi-double flowers of tuberose bears ____________rows of petals. 

Ans: 2–3 

3. A fully developed bulb of tuberose forms ____________ bulblets in one season. 

Ans: 15–30 

4. Tuberose flowering starts after ____________ months of planting. 

Ans: 3 to 4

5. The bulb of tuberose is ____________ shaped.

Ans: Spindle.

B. Multiple Choice Questions:

1. Long flower spike tuberoses are mostly used as — 

(a) Cut flowers. 

(b) Table decoration. 

(c) Bouquet preparation.

(d) All of these. 

Ans: (d) All of these. 

2. Planting time of tuberose in tropical areas of the country is ________________. 

(a) September–October. 

(b) December–January. 

(c) March–April. 

(d) June–July.

Ans: (a) September–October.

3. Temperature range for commercial cultivation of tuberose is _____________________. 

(a) 20–35oC. 

(b) 35–45oC. 

(c) 15–20oC. 

(d) 10–15oC. 

Ans: (a) 20–35oC. 

4. Tuberose bulbs should be stored for ____________ weeks after harvest. 

(a) 2–3. 

(b) 4–6. 

(c) 6–8. 

(d) 8–10. 

Ans: (b) 4–6. 

5. The yield of tuberose bulbs in one year of cropping is usually — 

(a) 6–8 tonnes. 

(b) 8–10 tonnes. 

(c) 10–12 tonnes.

(d) 12–14 tonnes.

Ans: (c) 10–12 tonnes.

C. Subjective Questions:

1. What are the different types of tuberose flowers?

Ans: On the basis of number of rows of petals, there are three types of tuberose viz., Single, Semi-double and Double. The single type bears pure white flowers with one row of corolla segments and they are very sweet scented. In semi-double type, flowers bear 2–3 rows of corolla segments, while double types have more than 3 rows of corolla segments and they do not seed.

2. Explain the planting of tuberose.

Ans: Planting of tuberose can be done in March–April, July–August and October–November. The bulbs should be planted at a spacing of 30 × 20 cm or 30 × 25 cm. Generally, healthy and medium sized bulbs (1.5–2.0 cm diameter) are used for planting. The bulbs are planted at a depth of 4–5 cm. About 40,000 bulbs are required for planting one hectare.

3. How and when tuberose can be harvested?

Ans: Tuberose flowers are harvested by hand in the morning and evening. Loose flowers are harvested when they are fully developed, but before they start wilting. Spikes for cut flowers are harvested when 1–2 pairs of flowers are open. The spikes should be cut with a sharp knife or secateurs along with 2–3 basal leaves.

4. Explain the insect pests and disease management in tuberose.

Ans: Insect pests: Thrips, aphids, and bud borer are the common insect pests of tuberose. Thrips and aphids can be controlled by spraying Malathion (0.1%) or Dimethoate (0.1%). Bud borer can be controlled by spraying Carbaryl (0.2%).

Diseases: The important diseases of tuberose are stem rot, leaf blight and mosaic. Stem rot caused by Sclerotium rolfsii can be controlled by drenching the soil with Bavistin (0.1%) or Captan (0.2%). Leaf blight caused by Alternaria polyanthi can be controlled by spraying Mancozeb (0.2%). Mosaic disease caused by virus can be managed by removing and destroying the infected plants and controlling the insect vectors.

 5. Explain Stem rot disease of tuberose.

Ans: Stem rot is caused by Sclerotium rolfsii. Symptoms appear as rotting at the collar region and yellowing of leaves, leading to wilting of the entire plant. The pathogen produces white mycelial growth and small, round, mustard seed like sclerotia on the affected portion. The disease can be controlled by drenching the soil with Bavistin (0.1%) or Captan (0.2%).

D.  Match the Columns:

Ans:

 A. Fill in the Blanks:

1. One of the leading geophytes grown for cut flower trade and garden displays is ____________. 

Ans: Gladiolus.

2. Gladiolus is propagated through _________________ or ______________. 

Ans: Corms or cormlets.

3. Gladiolus plant may produce up to ____________ cormlets. 

Ans: 1000

4. Corms or cormlets of gladiolus can be planted up to the depth of ____________ cm. 

Ans: 7–15 cm

5. Single plant of gladiolus produces _________________ marketable spike and ____________ plantable corms. 

Ans: Single and 1–3

6. In gladiolus, the qualities of spikes are judged by the ____________ of spike.

Ans: Length.

B. Multiple Choice Questions:

1. Gladiolus prefers __________________. 

(a) Fully shade weather. 

(b) Fully rainy weather. 

(c) Fully moist weather. 

(d) Fully sunny weather. 

Ans: (d) Fully sunny weather. 

2. A planting depth of ___________________ is suggested for gladiolus. 

(a) 7–15 cm. 

(b) 15–20 cm. 

(c) 20–25 cm. 

(d) 25–30 cm. 

Ans: (a) 7–15 cm. 

3. GA3 is used for soaking of corms at a concentration of ____________ to increase sprouting. 

(a) 250 ppm. 

(b) 300 ppm. 

(c) 200 ppm. 

(d) 150 ppm.

Ans: (a) 250 ppm.

4. Growth promoters like GA3 , NAA, kinetin, etc., at a concentration of _____________ ppm to enhance sprouting. 

(a) 5–10 

(b) 10–50 

(c) 50–100 

(d) 100–150 

Ans: (b) 10–50

5. The most common physiological disorder in gladiolus is _____________.

(a) Flower abortion. 

(b) Fluoride injury. 

(c) Crooked stem. 

(d) None of these.

Ans: (a) Flower abortion.

C. Subjective Questions:

1. Describe the staking of gladiolus.

Ans: Varieties producing taller spikes require staking with bamboo or willow sticks to save them from breakage due to lodging or winds. One stick is inserted some 10–15 cm away from plant base so that forming corm is not damaged. The stakes should be inserted when swelling of spike has started, and then the plant should be loosely tied with the stake to a height of about 30–40 cm. Second tying should be carried out at 50–60 cm height when the flowers in the spike have started swelling. Alternatively, the beds should be pegged at each corner and 3-tier strings should be stretched all around the bed and in between the plants, so the plants could be saved from wind damage or lodging.

2. Explain the harvesting of gladiolus.

Ans: In gladiolus, florets are borne alternatively on long slender spikes. These spikes are harvested for cut flowers. The quality of spikes is judged by the length of spike, the number of florets per spike, number of florets opening at a time, number of florets remaining open at a time, the arrangement of florets on the spike, floret colour, size, and texture (simple and thin, leathery and folded, frilled or ruffled, etc.). An ideal spike should be in tight bud stage with three to four buds showing colour so that these may easily open one by one in the vase. While harvesting, there must be four to five leaves left on the plant which will help further the corm development in the subsequent period as still the corm and cormel development takes place.

 3. Explain the physiological disorders in gladiolus.

Ans: Flower abortion (blasting) and blindness are the most common physiological disorders in gladiolus. These are primarily due to poor light conditions, especially in the winter crops. Sometimes, etiolated plants are observed in greenhouses. This may be due to the imbalanced relationship between light and temperature.

Fluoride injury is a very common phenomenon in gladiolus plantings and even at 1 ppb level, it expresses the effect of fluorine. The effect is expressed in the form of tip burn on leaves. Fluoride toxicity can be reduced by spraying 5% lime or magnesium sulphate.

Crooked stem: Though it is not a common problem but sometimes when the temperature is too high or the fluctuation is too frequent, the stems get crooked.

D. Match the Columns:

Ans:

A. Fill in the Blanks:

1. All the lateral buds below the terminal one are removed when they are 5–10 mm in diameter in ____________ method. 

Ans: Disbudding.

2. A practice for quality carnation production is _________. 

Ans: Pinching.

3. Carnation is propagated by ___________________. 

Ans: Terminal cuttings.

4. Carnation can be planted at __________________. 

Ans: 3 × 3 cm 

5. Terminal cuttings of ___________________ length with at least three nodes are used for propagation.

Ans: 10–15 cm

B. Multiple Choice Questions:

1. Carnation yields ______________________. 

(a) 150–400 cut flowers/m2. 

(b) 300–500 cut flowers/m2.

(c) 500–600 cut flowers/m2. 

(d) 600–700 cut flowers/m2.

Ans: (a) 150–400 cut flowers/m2.

2. Carnation blue or Fancy (A) grade has _________________ stem length. 

(a) 90–100 cm. 

(b) 60–70 cm. 

(c) 100–120 cm.

(d) 120–150 cm. 

Ans: (b) 60–70 cm.

3. Red or Standard (B) grade carnation flowers have _____________________ stem length. 

(a) 30–40 cm. 

(b) 40–50 cm.

(c) 50–60 cm. 

(d) 60–70 cm. 

Ans: (c) 50–60 cm.

4. The Green or Short (C) grade flowers of carnation have __________________ stem length. 

(a) 30–40 cm.

(b) 40–50 cm. 

(c) 50–60 cm. 

(d) 60–70 cm.

Ans: (b) 40–50 cm.

C. Subjective Questions:

1. How can carnation be propagated by cutting?

Ans: Carnation is multiplied through terminal cuttings. Prepare 10–15 cm long cuttings with 4–5 pairs of leaves and at least three nodes. Remove 1–2 pair of lower leaves. Prepared cuttings should be treated for 12 seconds with NAA 500 ppm. Drench the rooting medium with 0.2% solution of Bavistin or captan. Plant the prepared cutting in a sand bed or in cocopeat in mist chamber.

2. What is pinching in carnation?

Ans: Pinching is a practice for quality carnation production. First pinching in carnation, preferably below the sixth node, is carried out about one month after planting, wherein, leaving five to six nodes on the plant, the tips of apical shoots are removed, and this is technically known as first or single pinch. In this case, flowering occurs earlier and at one time. Plants pinched above the sixth node produce flowers on smaller axillary shoots, therefore, pinching below the sixth node is recommended.

3. Give the causes and remedy for calyx splitting in carnation.

Ans: It is due to nutritional imbalance, erratic irrigation, genetic and environmental factors, and cultural practices. It occurs mostly because of the excessive number of petals in the buds coupled with temperature being lower than 10°C at the time of bud formation and development. Low nitrogen, high ammoniacal nitrogen or low boron levels also contribute towards calyx splitting. When calyx is unable to bear the pressure being generated due to sequential growth of the petals, calyx ruptures completely or into two halves, and such flowers are not acceptable in the market. It is suggested that a rubber band be placed on the bud at the time of maximum growth when the mouth just starts opening and at the portion having maximum diameter. Sometimes calyx splitting occurs at the bud formation stage, when there is water scarcity in the soil, followed by sudden irrigation. Application of nitrogen to a certain limit controls the splitting, however, over-fertilising with nitrogen may also cause splitting. High day-temperature and low night-temperature may help check the splitting.

4. Describe the methods of harvesting in carnation.

Ans: In standard carnations, the flowers are harvested at paint-brush stage, the stage when elongation outside the calyx starts or when bud diameter is 1.5–2.0 cm; while in sprays when each stem has two opened flowers and other buds showing colour. The harvesting of flowers is carried out early in the morning and the cut ends are placed in a bucket containing palatable water. While harvesting the flower stems, some 3–4 nodes should be left below the stem on the mother plant for growth of the next season’s crop. Crop is retained at least for two years for a good harvest.

5. What are the physiological disorders of carnation?

Ans: Calyx splitting: It is due to nutritional imbalance, erratic irrigation, genetic and environmental factors, and cultural practices. It occurs mostly because of the excessive number of petals in the buds coupled with temperature being lower than 10oC at the time of bud formation and development. Low nitrogen, high ammonical nitrogen or low boron levels also contribute towards calyx splitting. When calyx is unable to bear the pressure being generated due to sequential growth of the petals, calyx ruptures completely or into two halves, and such f lowers are not acceptable in the market. It is suggested that a rubber band be placed on the bud at the time of maximum growth when mouth just starts opening and at the portion having maximum diameter. Sometimes calyx splitting occurs at the bud formation stage, when there is water scarcity in the soil, followed by sudden irrigation. Application of nitrogen to a certain limit controls the splitting, however, over-fertilising with nitrogen may also cause splitting. High day-temperature and low night-temperature may help checking the splitting.

Curly tip It is distortion and curling of the growing tips, young shoots failing to separate and continuation of growth occurs in a characteristic curvature which is probably due to low light and low temperature conditions prevailing for long, and this may further aggravate due to nitrogen deficiency.

6. How is post harvest care taken with harvested flowers?

Ans: Carnation flowers are very sensitive to ethylene, that’s why just after harvesting, these should be kept or pulsed in a solution containing 10% sucrose + 1 mm STS (silver thiosulphate) for up to 10 hours before transportation to sustain their proper life. After pulsing, the flowers can be stored in water with a nutritive solution at 2°–4°C and 95% RH so that sleepiness can be avoided to occur. Ordinarily the cut flower life of carnation is six days which can be extended up to 22 days by the addition of silver ions in the water electrolytically. Bunches of 25 flowers each are packed in the insulated corrugated cardboard box  transported at 2°–4°C temperature in refrigerated van.

7. Write about the grading of carnation flowers.

Ans: The harvested flowers are graded on the basis of flower quality and stem lengths:

(i) Blue/Fancy (A grade): with 60–70 cm stem length.

(ii) Red/Standard (B grade): with 50–60 cm stem length.

(iii) Green/Short (C grade): with 40–50 cm stem length.

C. Match the Columns:

Ans:

 A. Fill in the Blanks:

1. Gerbera is a native of _______________. 

Ans: Republic of South Africa.

2. Gerbera can be propagated vegetatively through _______________ and _______________. 

Ans: Division of clumps and cuttings.

3. Planting time of gerbera in most of the tropical and sub tropical regions is _______________. 

Ans: October.

4. In gerbera first flower appears after ______________ days of planting. 

Ans: 50–70

5. About _________________ flowers of gerbera are harvested per square metre annually.

Ans: 150–250

B. Multiple Choice Questions:

1. Farmyard manure at ________________ per hectare in fairly light sandy soil at the time of preparation should be incorporated. 

(a) 750 quintals. 

(b) 1000 quintals. 

(c) 1500 quintals. 

(d) 2000 quintals. 

Ans: (a) 750 quintals. 

2. Water requirement of the full-grown gerbera plant is from ________________  per day. 

(a) 400–500 ml. 

(b) 450–600 ml. 

(c) 550–760 ml. 

(d) 500–700 ml. 

Ans: (b) 450–600 ml.

3. Gerberas are grown on _______________ cm raised beds for better drainage. 

(a) 10 to 15

(b) 12 to 22

(c) 15 to 20 

(d) 15 to 25

Ans: (d) 15 to 25

C. Subjective Questions:

1. Write the procedure of commercial propagation of Gerbera.

Ans: Gerbera is propagated vegetatively through the division of clumps and cuttings, vis-à-vis micropropagation. It is planted in early September on the hills and subtropical weather or climate in June–July in the plains. The clumps are lifted and divided into smallest units, having central growing point intact, the leaves are trimmed and the whole clump is treated with 0.2% captan. Divisions of clump are then planted at a filtered place having 18°–20°C temperature and more than 80% RH, in the sterilised medium by having the central growing point perfectly exposed, followed by watering. These take 2–3 weeks for establishment and when flowers start appearing the first flowers should be nipped. In suckers planted in September, flowering starts from February.

Growing of plants at 25–30°C temperature with more than 80% RH in a nutrient-rich soil encourages the formation of more side shoots in the axils of leaves which are detached similar to that of clump-division and planted in rooting media where these become ready for transplanting in 2–3 months.

It is now a common trend in the country to multiply the planting stalk of the elite cultivars through tissue culture for obtaining uniform and disease-free material. Generally, MS medium supplemented with various growth substances is used with gerbera explants such as shoot tips, floral buds, capitulum, leaves, midribs, petioles, etc.

2. How is the bed prepared for Gerbera planting?

Ans: For planting, soil should be made fully pulverised through deep ploughing, rootstocks of the perennial weeds along with other hard foreign materials such as pieces of wood, stones, bricks, and plastic shreds taken out and then properly levelled. It would be wise to disinfect the soil before planting, to avoid the menace of Phytophthora and other root rot fungi. Soil may be solarised by covering it with black polythene film for 6–8 weeks so that solar heat is generated, and all the spores of harmful fungi are killed.

Usually, gerberas are grown on 15–20 cm raised beds for better drainage. Bed width may be adjusted at 1.2–1.6 m at any length as per the convenience. Between two beds, there should be clearance of 40 cm to facilitate walking, irrigation, and cultural operations in the field.

3. What is the bent neck in Gerbera?

Ans: Bent neck in Gerbera is a post-harvest disorder in which the flower stem just below the flower head becomes weak and bends, causing the flower to droop. It usually occurs due to poor water uptake after harvesting, low carbohydrate reserves, blockage of vascular tissues by air embolism or microbes, and weak stem tissues. This reduces the vase life and market value of the flowers.

D. Match the Columns:

Ans:

Parimol

Hi! my Name is Parimal Roy. I have completed my Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy (B.A.) from Silapathar General College. Currently, I am working as an HR Manager at Dev Library. It is a website that provides study materials for students from Class 3 to 12, including SCERT and NCERT notes. It also offers resources for BA, B.Com, B.Sc, and Computer Science, along with postgraduate notes. Besides study materials, the website has novels, eBooks, health and finance articles, biographies, quotes, and more.