Microclimate modification under different shade levels and its effect on the growth of Dracaena fragrans
2014
Gaurav, Abhay Kumar | Raju, D.V.S. | Janakiram, T. | Swaroop, Kishan | Singh, Bhupinder | Jain, Ritu | Gopalakrishnan, S.
Shade nets did not only protect plants from high light intensities but also improve the vegetative growth, yield, vase life and quality irrespective of shade levels. In order to study the effect of different shade levels (0%, 35%, 50%, 75% and 90%) on the growth and quality of Dracaena fragrans an experiment was conducted. The effect of spectral control of light on physiology and vegetative development was evaluated at different crop growth stages. Shade nets influenced the microclimate inside the shade net by modifying the light intensity, air temperature, relative humidity, Photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and transmittance. Light intensity and PAR was decreased with increase in shade levels whereas; relative humidity (RH) increased with increase in shade levels. Temperature in summer months was reduced to the tune of 3–6ºC while in winter months; it was higher compared to control. The shading significantly improved various vegetative parameters and physiological parameters. Due to slow growing nature of Dracaena, the perceptible differences because of influence of shade levels were not observed for plant height during the course of study. But 50% shade level was found optimal as they recorded higher number of leaves (30), higher leaf area (508.60cm2), fresh weight (22.72g), dry weight (4.55g), leaf chlorophyll content, photosynthetic rate (6.49?molCO2/m2/s) and harvest index (70.86%). So for commercial purpose 50% shade net can be recommended for growing Dracaena.
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