Introduction

• Native of Mexico and hardy, bulbous and perennial plant.
• Great economic potential for cut flower trade and essential oil and also used as artistic garlands, floral ornaments, bouquets, button holes, garden decoration etc.
• It occupies prime position because of its popularity as cut flower, loose flower and for its potential in perfume industry.

Cultivars: (Three types of Tuberose)

1. Single – with one row of corolla segments, extensively grown in warm humid climate for cut-flower, floral arrangements and also as loose flower for floral ornaments. eg. Calcuttia Single, Mexican Single (Promising variety), Rajat Rekha
2. Semi-double – with two to three rows of corolla segments.
3. Double flower – having more than three rows of corolla segments, florets are large, use for floral ornaments Eg. Calcuttia Double, Swarna Rekha, Pearl. Partial opening of florets is a problem, thus decrease in cultivation.

Environmental Factor

1. Temperature: Growth range is 10-400 C, Optimum range is 20-300 C

➢ Pre-plant storage at 100C for 30 days increase growth and yield because of storage temperature influence the sprouting of bulbs after planting.

2. Light: not strong photosensitive plants however (14-16) hrs of day length is desirable for quality bloom.

Propagation

1. Seed: Seed propagation is only in single type.

➢ Optimum temperature is 26.60 C for seed propagation and starts germination after 10-15 days of sowing.

➢ It is used only for breeding purpose.

2. Bulb Division: Bulbs (>2 cm diameter) are cut into 2-3 vertical sections, each containing a bud and treated with fungicide. Bulblets are produced along with root develop then transferred to the nursery before taking to the field.
3. Bulbs: Bulb having >1.5 cm in diameter, spindle shaped, free from disease are preferred in commercial cultivation. However, bigger bulb (>3 cm) is not desirable because they have poor germination capacity and weak respirator.
4. Micro-propagation: Clonal propagation through tissue culture may be utilized for rapid and large-scale multiplication by radial cutting of bulbs into segments and kept in media.

Growth and Flowering

➢ Being to flower in 80-95 days of sprouting. Time of flowering greatly varies with the initial size of planting material (bulb).