floriculture

botany

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CONTENTS

1. FLORICULTURE – INTRODUCTION, IMPORTANCE
2. FLORICULTURE POTENTIAL AND ITS TRADE IN INDIA
3 .GREEN HOUSE
4. POLYHOUSE
5. SHADENET
6. MICROIRRIGATION SYSTEM
7. MIST PROPAGATING UNIT
8. BIBLIOGRAPHY

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Floriculture, or flower farming, is a discipline
of horticulture concerned with the cultivation of flowering
and ornamental plants for gardens and for floristry, comprising
the floral industry. The development, via plant breeding, of new varieties
is a major occupation of floriculturists.
Floriculture crops include bedding plants, houseplants, flowering garden
and pot plants, cut cultivated greens, and cut flowers. As distinguished
from nursery crops, floriculture crops are generally herbaceous. Bedding
and garden plants consist of young flowering plants (annuals
and perennials) and vegetable plants. They are grown in cell packs (in
flats or trays), in pots, or in hanging baskets, usually inside a controlled
environment, and sold largely for gardens and landscaping.
Flowering plants are largely sold in pots for indoor use. The major
flowering plants are poinsettias, orchids, florist chrysanthemums.
Foliage plants are also sold in pots and hanging baskets for indoor and
patio use, including larger specimens for office, hotel, and restaurant
interiors.
Cut flowers are usually sold in bunches or as bouquets with cut foliage.
The production of cut flowers is specifically known as the cut flower
industry. Farming flowers and foliage employs special aspects of
floriculture, such as spacing, training and pruning plants for optimal
flower harvest; and post-harvest treatment such as chemical treatments,
storage, preservation and packaging.
Floriculture may be defined as the branch of Horticulture which deals
with the culture and management of flowers and ornamental plants.
– It has been derived from two words ‘flor’ means flower and ‘cultura’
means cultivation.
– But now in addition to flower other ornamental plants are also
included in floriculture.
Importance of Floriculture
– As Floriculture deals with the culture of flowers and ornamental
plants, it has great importance in our daily life as well as national
economy.

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-General importance of flower
 Flowers help getting out of illness through psychological enchantment.
 Flower gardens increase beauty of the house or an institution.
 Scent and perfumes are extracted from the fragrance of flowers e.g.,
Rose water, Atar.
 It is the source of incentive to the poets and writers.
 Flower is a national symbol. Lotus is the national flower of India.
 Flower increases the aesthetic sense of human being and satisfies
demand of heart feelings.
 Its beauty and fragrance give happiness to all irrespective of age and
wealth.
 It is the principal component of public functions and anniversaries and
also extensively used for decoration.
 Flower gardening is a good medium of passing leisure time and help
keeping good health.
-Economic importance of flower production
 Perfume industries can be established in the country which can help
improving national economy.
 Flowers can be a source of earning huge foreign currency by exporting
them.
 Flowers can be considered as a commercial commodity. Commercial
flower production may be helpful in increased earning of the grower.
 Establishment of flower production farms and perfume industries can
help solving unemployment problem to a large extent.
 It provides scope to bring more unused land under flower cultivation.
Scope of flower cultivation
 Potted foliage and flowering plants are less perishable and has advantage
over cut flowers. As most of the important foliage and flowering plants
are native to the tropical region.
 The agro climatic condition is well suited for growing many flowers and
foliage plants in India.
 Bonsai culture is a recent development in the field of floriculture . In
bonsai culture a large tree is transformed into a miniature form giving a
lucrative look. Such plants have heavy demand in the society though

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they are expensive. To meet up local demand and for export many
bonsai making farms can be established.
 Cactus is a high valued ornamental crop sold in plant nurseries and
shops. Some progressive nurserymen and amateurs are trying to make
special types of plants like grafted cactus and bonsai in small scale. This
gives a hope for trade in Floriculture.
 Tissue culture technology can be exploited for developing quality
seedling in many flower spp. in order to get local as well as international
market.
 There is a high demand of fresh flower and pot plants in the market. As
such those flowers suitable for export such as rose, gladiolus, gerbera,
tuberose, marigold, orchid etc. can easily be produced for this purpose.

CHALLENGES - Growers face many challenges including:
Declining margins – While prices have remained steady over the past
several years, most input costs have risen steadily. To remain profitable,
growers have had to become more efficient in production and
management.
Environment – Environmental issues are a major concern for growers.
Growers have responded by re-using irrigation water, reducing pesticide
and fertilizer use and reducing greenhouse runoff.
Pest control – Concerns over pesticide use by the public and producers
alike, along with pesticide resistance and the loss of approved pesticides,
have prompted growers to adopt alternative pest control methods.
Integrated pest management (IPM) is playing a larger role in greenhouse
pest control. Many growers are now using biological or bio-rational
control methods to supplement or replace existing pesticides.
Employment – Labor is an important element in production. Bedding
plant and cut flower growers face labor costs of up to one third of gross
sales. Although increased mechanization is a necessary element of
global competition, the industry continues to be a major agricultural
employer.
Urban-rural conflicts – Urban-rural conflicts are a fact of life for most
agriculture in the Province. Some municipalities look upon floriculture

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as more of a factory production industry rather than agriculture. Most
municipalities have zoning regulations concerning the maximum site
covering greenhouses .
Capital costs – Modern, state-of-the-art greenhouse operations can cost
up to $200 per square metre. This represents a barrier to entry for many
potential growers. Field-grown cut flowers and bedding plant production
have much lower capital costs, so they are often entry level crops.
Seasonal demand – The demand for fresh floriculture products is
seasonal and the product is very perishable. Large numbers of people
want to buy flowers for special occasions or holidays like Valentine’s
Day, Mother’s Day and Christmas. Growers must time their production
to meet these periods of high demand. Some growers have 30% of their
annual sales in a three week period in spring.

IMPORTANCE OF FLORICULTURE
 Besides food and nutritional security, the aesthetic value is also
equally important for our daily lively hood as well as for
environmental purity.
Floriculture is important from the following point of view;
1. Economic point of view
2. Aesthetic point of view
3. Social point of view
1. Economic point of view:
 Floriculture is a fast emerging major venture in the world,
especially as a potential money-spinner for many third-world
countries.
 Many flowers and ornamental plants are being grown for
domestic as well as for export will provide more return/unit
area than any other agricultural/horticultural crops.
 For example in markets such as Delhi and Mumbai and other
metros a single spike of gladiolus and gerbera flower may

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sell up to Rs. 3-5 in Kharif and Rs. 5-10/spike in
Rabi/Summer.
 Gestation period of flower crop is very less compared to
other crops.
 Modern-day floriculture refers to the production of high-
value cut flowers such as Rose, Gladiolus, Carnation,
Orchids, Tuberose, Anthurium, Lilium, Gerbera etc,.
 Now days, growing of these cut flower crops, suited for
flower arrangements/decorations for bouquets preparation,
and for floral boskets, have increased substantially and its
share of the total trade has also improved.
 The sales of loose flowers of Jasmine, Crossandra, Marigold,
China Aster, Chrysanthemums and Gaillardia etc are a
roaring busyness in south India.
 The present trend in floriculture is for making dry
flowers, extraction of natural colors and essential oils.
 At present the global ornamental crop industry is worth about
US$ 70 billion.
 The global consumption of the flowers is about US$ 35
billion.
 More than three lakhs hectare are under flower production in
different countries of the world.
1. Floriculture generates self employment opportunities
round the year.
2. One can join the floriculture field as farm/estate
managers, plantation experts, supervisors and project
coordinators etc.
3. Research and teaching are some other avenues of
employment in the field.
4. Marketing of Floriculture products for different
ventures is emerging as a potential segment of this
field.
5. Besides one can work as consultant, landscape architect
etc with proper training.

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6. One can also work as entrepreneur and offer
employment to others.
7. In addition to these careers which involve research and
actual growing of crops.
8. Floriculture also provides service career opportunities
which include such jobs as floral designers,
groundskeepers, landscape designers, architects and
horticultural therapists.
9. Professional qualification combined with an inclination
towards gardening and such other activities produces
efficient floriculturists and landscaping professionals.
 Presently more than 145 countries are involved in flower
production on commercial scale.

2. Aesthetic point of view:
 Lot of scope for landscaping and is considered as billion
dollar earning industry in states which ultimately adds the
monitory value of any building.
 To a Japanese flower arranger each flower expresses one or
more meaning (e.g. Ikebana).
 Open breathing places through bio-aesthetic planning and
landscape gardening, can expect to build up a healthy society
and prosperous nation.
 Horticultural therapy - is the new dimension of horticultural
science to heal the psychic debility and the science is to use
garden, landscape plants, parts of plants, growing activity as
tools to work.
 The bio-force of plants offer a permanent solution to the
problems of bio force of human thus, bio aesthetic
horticulture is emerging as a new occupational therapeutic
tool to restore the lost rhythm and harmony back to human
self or inner environment.

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 It is being utilized in psychiatric hospital, general hospitals,
physical rehabilitation center, homes for elderly, prisons and
schools.
 The patients can achieve higher level of personal
development and satisfaction.

3. Social point of view:
 Flowers symbolize the purity, beauty, peace, love, adoration,
innocence and passion etc., are used to express feelings.
 In our society no social function is complete without the use
of flowers.
 In India, especially for Hindu’s, there’s greater significance
in religions offerings. It has estimated that more than 30-40
% of the total flower productions are being consumed in
Kolkata city alone used for worshiping purpose.
 Floral garlands, gajras are required in marriage ceremonies
for adornment of hairs by women of all ages.
 In the present modern era sicks are wished, while the deads
are bidden farewell with flowers.

FLORICULTURE AND INDIA
Floriculture is increasingly regarded as a viable diversification from the
traditional field crops due to increased per unit returns and the increasing
habit of “saying it with flower” during all the occasions. Though the art
of growing flowers is not new to India, protected cultivation in poly-
houses is relatively new in India. Enormous genetic diversity, varied
agro climatic conditions and versatile human resources offer India a
unique scope for diversification into new avenues which have not been
explored to a greater extent. With the opening up of world market in the
WTO regime, there is a free movement of floriculture products
worldwide. In this context, each and every country has equal opportunity
for trade in each other’s territory. Globally, more than 140 countries are
involved in cultivation of floricultural crops. The USA continues to be

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the highest consumer with more than $ 10 billion per annum, followed
by Japan with more than $ 7 billion. India has better scope in the future
as there is a shift in trend towards tropical flowers and this can be
gainfully exploited by India with enormous amount of diversity in
indigenous flora.
Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) conducted a survey of
assessment on the possibilities of cut flowers trade in India during 1960-
62. An important conclusion was that an internal sale as Rs.9.26 crores
worth flower weighing 10,460 tons grown in an area of 4000 hectors.
Flowers like Rose, Gladiolus, Tuberose, Chrysanthemum, Aster,
Carnation, Orchids, and Marigold are most popular in cut flower market
all over the World.
Flower Trade Across The World:
World trade on floriculture produces like cut flowers, ornamental plants,
flowering plants, flower seeds and plantlets gaining tremendous
momentum. Many countries, particularly the developed ones, are
importing flowers to meet their internal demand. It will be worthwhile to
mention that the annual import figures of some of the largest importers
on flowers – USA (232 crores US$) Japan (192 crores US$), Germany
(180 crores US$) France (77 Crores US$), Italy (55.6 Crores US$),
Holland (50 Crores US$). The other importers like Switzerland, Sweden,
Denmark, Belgium, Middle-east countries etc. also import a sizable
amount of cut flowers. In recent past, growers of flowers are using
modern agro-techniques like glass-house culture, drip irrigation, liquid
pesticides & fertilizers application along with drip irrigation channels,
Tissue Culture. Vis-a-vis such a huge market potential of floriculture
produce, India’s contribution is not at all encouraging as its flower
export amount to 30 lakh US dollar only, hence India has to do a lot to
exploit this agro-business.

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GREEN HOUSE
A greenhouse (also called a 'glasshouse', or, if with sufficient heating,
a hothouse) is a structure with walls and roof made chiefly of transparent
material, such as glass, in which plants requiring regulated climatic
conditions are grown. These structures range in size from small sheds to
industrial-sized buildings. A miniature greenhouse is known as a cold
frame. The interior of a greenhouse exposed to sunlight becomes
significantly warmer than the external ambient temperature, protecting
its contents in cold weather.
Many commercial glass greenhouses or hothouses are high
tech production facilities for vegetables or flowers. The glass
greenhouses are filled with equipment including screening installations,
heating, cooling, lighting, and may be controlled by a computer to
optimize conditions for plant growth. Different techniques are then used
to evaluate optimality-degrees and comfort ratio of greenhouse micro-
climate (i.e., air temperature, relative humidity and vapor pressure
deficit) in order to reduce production risk prior to cultivation of a
specific crop.
DESIGN
The explanation given in most sources for the warmer temperature in a
greenhouse is that incident solar radiation (the visible and adjacent
portions of the infrared and ultraviolet ranges of the spectrum) passes
through the glass roof and walls and is absorbed by the floor, earth, and
contents, which become warmer and re-emit the energy as longer-
wavelength infrared radiation. Glass and other materials used for
greenhouse walls do not transmit infrared radiation, so the infrared
cannot escape via radiative transfer. As the structure is not open to the
atmosphere, heat also cannot escape via convection, so the temperature
inside the greenhouse rises. This is known as the "greenhouse effect".
Ventilation
Ventilation is one of the most important components in a successful
greenhouse, especially in hot and humid tropical climate condition. If

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there is no proper ventilation, greenhouses and their growing plants can
become prone to problems. The main purposes of ventilation are to
regulate the temperature, humidity and vapor pressure deficit to the
optimal level, and to ensure movement of air and thus prevent build-up
of plant pathogens (such as Botrytis cinerea) that prefer still air
conditions. Ventilation also ensures a supply of fresh air for
photosynthesis and plant respiration, and may enable
important pollinators to access the greenhouse crop.
Ventilation can be achieved via use of vents - often controlled
automatically via a computer - and recirculation fans.
Heating
Heating or electricity is one of the most considerable costs in the
operation of greenhouses across the globe, especially in colder climates.
The main problem with heating a greenhouse as opposed to a building
that has solid opaque walls is the amount of heat lost through the
greenhouse covering. Since the coverings need to allow light to filter
into the structure, they conversely cannot insulate very well. Most
greenhouses, when supplemental heat is needed use natural gas
or electric furnaces.
Passive heating methods exist which seek heat using low energy
input. Solar energy can be captured from periods of relative abundance
(day time/summer), and released to boost the temperature during cooler
periods (night time/winter). Electronic controllers are often used to
monitor the temperature and adjusts the furnace operation to the
conditions. This can be as simple as a basic thermostat, but can be more
complicated in larger greenhouse operations.
Carbon dioxide enrichment
The possibility of using carbon dioxide enrichment in greenhouse
cultivation to enhance plant growth has been known for nearly 100
years. After the development of equipment for the controlled serial
enrichment of carbon dioxide, the technique was established on a broad
scale in the Netherlands. Commercial greenhouses are now frequently
located near appropriate industrial facilities for mutual benefit

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consuming both waste heat and CO2 from the refinery which would
otherwise be vented to atmosphere
TYPES
In domestic greenhouses, the glass used is typically 3mm 'horticultural
glass' grade, which is good quality glass that should not contain air
bubbles (which can produce scorching on leaves by acting like lenses).
Plastics mostly used are polyethylene film and multiwall sheets
of polycarbonate material, or PMMA acrylic glass.
Commercial glass greenhouses are often high-tech production facilities
for vegetables or flowers. The glass greenhouses are filled with
equipment such as screening installations, heating, cooling and lighting,
and may be automatically controlled by a computer.
Dutch Light Green House
In the UK and other Northern European countries a pane of horticultural
glass referred to as "Dutch Light" was historically used as a standard
unit of construction, having dimensions of 28¾″ x 56″ (approx. 730mm
x 1422 mm). This size gives a larger glazed area when compared with
using smaller panes such as the 600mm width typically used in modern
domestic designs which then require more supporting framework for a
given overall greenhouse size. A style of greenhouse having sloped sides
(resulting in a wider base than at eaves height) and using these panes
uncut is also often referred to as of "Dutch Light design", and a cold
frame using a full- or half-pane as being of "Dutch" or "half-Dutch" size.
LEAN -TO GREENHOUSE: Less expensive than freestanding models
and a good option where space is limited, the attached lean-to
greenhouse shares one wall with a house, garage or other building. Lean-
to greenhouse have available utility sources nearby and are cheaper to
operate than full-size greenhouses. Besides providing more usable space,
it has a superior shape for air circulation.
FREE STANDING GREENHOUSE: They are separate structures.
They allow many size options, and provision must be made for heat,
water and electricity. Larger greenhouses are actually more easily

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managed, because small greenhouses have more rapidly fluctuating
temperatures. Several common frames are the quonset, a low, circular
shape usually covered with plastic sheeting; the gothic, similar to the
quonset but with a higher arch; the rigid-frame, with vertical sidewalls
and rafters; and the A-frame, with sloping sides forming a triangular
shape.
USES
Greenhouses allow for greater control over the growing environment of
plants. Depending upon the technical specification of a greenhouse, key
factors which may be controlled include temperature, levels of light and
shade, irrigation, fertilizer application, and atmospheric humidity.
Greenhouses may be used to overcome shortcomings in the growing
qualities of a piece of land, such as a short growing season or poor light
levels, and they can thereby improve food production in marginal
environments. Greenhouses in hot, dry climates used specifically to
provide shade are sometimes called "shade houses".
As they may enable certain crops to be grown throughout the year,
greenhouses are increasingly important in the food supply of high-
latitude countries. One of the largest complexes in the world is
in Almeria, Andalucía, Spain, where greenhouses cover almost 200 km
2

(49,000 acres).
Greenhouses are often used for growing flowers, vegetables, fruits,
and transplants. Special greenhouse varieties of certain crops, such as
tomatoes, are generally used for commercial production. Many
vegetables and flowers can be grown in greenhouses in late winter and
early spring, and then transplanted outside as the weather
warms. Bumblebees are the pollinators of choice for
most pollination, although other types of bees have been used, as well as
artificial pollination. Hydroponics can be used to make the most use of
the interior space.
The relatively closed environment of a greenhouse has its own unique
management requirements, compared with outdoor production.

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POLYHOUSE
A polytunnel (also known as a polyhouse, hoop greenhouse or hoop
house, grow tunnel or high tunnel) is a tunnel typically made from z35
Steel and covered in polythene, usually semi-circular, square or
elongated in shape. The interior heats up because incoming solar
radiation from the sun warms plants, soil, and other things inside the
building faster than heat can escape the structure. Air warmed by the
heat from hot interior surfaces is retained in the building by the roof and
wall. Temperature, humidity and ventilation can be controlled by
equipment fixed in the polytunnel or by manual opening and closing of
vents. Poly-tunnels are mainly used in temperate regions in similar ways
to glass greenhouses and row covers. The nesting of row covers and low
tunnels inside high tunnels is also common.
USES: Poly-tunnels can be used to provide a higher temperature and/or
humidity than that which is available in the environment but can also
protect crops from intense heat, bright sunlight, winds, hailstones,
and cold waves. This allows fruits and vegetables to be grown at times
usually considered off season; market gardeners commonly use poly-
tunnels for season extension. Beyond season extension, poly-tunnels are
also used to allow cold-hardy crops to overwinter in regions where
their hardiness isn't quite strong enough for them to survive outdoors.
Temperature increases of only 5° to 15° above outdoor ambient, coupled
with protection from the drying effect of wind, are enough to let selected
plant varieties grow slowly but healthily instead of dying. The effect is
to simulate "moving the farm south by several hardiness zones", that is,
to create a microclimate that simulates the temperatures of a location
several hardiness zones south (and protects from wind as well).
Every factor influencing a crop can be controlled in a polytunnel. Poly-
tunnels are often used in floriculture and plant nurseries, as
the revenue value of the plants can justify the expense.

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SHADE NET
Agro shade net is a simple yet powerful innovation that helps protect
crops, used to provide the crops with a shade from the sunrays. Though
sunrays are the major requirement for the growth of plants and crops, yet
it has been seen and recorded that over-exposure to sun rays can lead to
much damage to the crops. This happens because certain crops and
plants are extremely fragile. They do not require too much of sun
exposure. Moreover, there are certain geographical locations which are
more prone to harsh sun rays than other places. In these places, the
cultivation of many crops is unfeasible. To cultivate fragile plants, one
must take care of the crops well. The agro shade net is one such way to
protect the crops. They are a very real and cost effective way to control
the ill effects of UV radiations on plants and crops, extremely useful in
protected cultivation of high value crops. Especially for high value
crops, where no risk can be taken by the farmers or cultivators, it is very
important of take optimum care of the crops and make sure that they are
protected against the vagaries of nature. With innovation in this field,
now shade nets can successfully control the harmful effects of UV rays
on plants and keep them safe and sound.
Shade Selection: A good shade net must have high strength and should
be durable. This will ensure that it will not wear out soon and will last
you several crop lives. The biggest benefit and feature is the UV
stabilization feature that will ultimately protect the crops against the
harmful effects of UV radiations. A good shade net must offer optimum
shade factor that protects the crops well. The shade net must be
technically designed for higher yield.
MICRO-IRRIGATION SYSTEM
Micro-irrigation or trickle irrigation is an irrigation method with lower
pressure and flow than a traditional sprinkler system. Low volume
irrigation is used in agriculture for row crops, orchards, and vineyards. It
is also used in horticulture in wholesale nurseries, in landscaping for
civic, commercial, and private landscapes and gardens, and in the

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science and practice of restoration ecology and environmental
remediation.
There are several types of micro-irrigation systems. Many of the
components are the same for all of these types of systems. Most systems
typically include filters, pipes, valves, and tubing. The main difference is
in the type of emission device that is used to deliver the water to the
plants. Drip irrigation utilizes drip emitters that deliver water at very
low rates. The typical range is 0.2 to 4.0 gallons per hour. In some
systems, the emitters are installed manually on the outside of the tubing
and placed where needed. Other systems might use integral dripper line
or drip tape with the emitters already installed at a predetermined
spacing. Micro-sprinklers, which can include fixed stream sprays and
rotating spinners typically deliver water at a higher rate, such as 10 to 25
gallons per hour and will cover a larger area than drip emitters. These
are more typically used in tree orchards where the plants are larger. The
goal is to distribute water slowly in small volumes and target it to plants'
root zones with less runoff or overspray
than landscape and garden conventional spray and rotary sprinklers. The
low volume allows the water to penetrate and be absorbed into slow-
percolation soils, such as clay, minimizing water runoff.
System components: There is a wide variety of system components
included in a micro-irrigation system. Most systems include a filter.
These may include pre-filters, sand separators, media filters, screen
filters, and disc filters. The level of filtration required depends on the
size of the emission device and the quality of the water source. A
pressure regulator or regulating valve may be required to reduce the
system pressure to the desired level. Automatic or manually operated
valves will be required to switch from one irrigated section to another.
An irrigation controller will be used with automatic systems and may
also be needed for back flushing the filter or sand separator.
Emission devices:
Micro tubing consists of very small diameter tubing. Flow is regulated
purely by the length and diameter of the tubing.

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Fixed flow drip emitter: Low-flow irrigation systems in gardens using
drip apply water through two methods:
 pre installed small holes in small diameter tubes placed on or below
the surface or
 Self cleaning emitters, in different precipitation rates, pre installed or
contractor installed for different rate emitters on same supply.
Low volume irrigation systems often use the two delivery components of
drip systems to apply water through small holes in small diameter tubes
placed on or below the surface of the field. This is done instead of
agricultural surface irrigation and furrow irrigation for vegetables, fruits
and berries, and other high-value crops.

Adjustable drip emitters
Trickle emitters, also called 'spider sprays,' come in fixed or adjustable
radius shapes and diameters, and are installed directly on the flexible
supply pipe or on tubing connected to it, and mounted on small stakes.
Trickle emitter-'Spider sprays' work well for plants with more fibrous
root systems, tree and large shrub basins, and in pots and container
gardens - allowing automated watering of plants on decks and
patios. Mist emitters can also be used in pot, both on the ground and
hanging, with humidity-fog watering for epiphytes and ferns replicating
habitats.
Micro-sprinklers: Low volume micro-sprinklers may be attached to hard
plastic risers or attached to standard sprinkler heads, but are more
typically mounted on stakes and attached to small diameter micro-tubing
connected to polyethylene tubing with a barbed connector. Some micro-
sprinklers have a fixed spray or stream pattern, while others rotate.
These are installed above ground and are often used for fruit and
nut orchards and vineyards. These systems are expensive, even for large-
scale agricultural use, and are predominantly used for high-value crops.

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MIST PROPAGATING UNIT
Mist Propagation of Herbaceous and Softwood Cutting:
Mist propagation consists of maintaining a film of water on the leaves of
the cutting and relative humidity of the ambient air. In this way, the rate
of transpiration is reduced to a minimum and as result the guard cells
remain turgid. The stomata’s remain open, and the manufacture of
carbohydrates and related substances proceeds unabated even in
presence of high light intensity. Further, with the high light intensity, the
evaporation of water from the leaves keep the tops relativity cool, and
this in turn lowers the rate of respiration. Thus, with the low rate of
transpiration combines with the low rate of respiration, other
manufactured substances become available for the initiation and growth
of the root system.
There are Two Kinds or Types of Misting:
i) Continuous and
ii) Intermittent.
The continuous involve applying the mist continuously during the light
period, whereas the intermittent system involves applying the mist at
definite intervals during the light period. Each system has advantages
and disadvantages. Continuous has disadvantage that excessive leaching
of soluble compounds from the leaves is likely to take place and unless
the media is well drained, water logging of the media is likely to occur.
The main advantages of the intermittent system are that excessive
leaching of soluble compounds from the leaves and water lagging of the
media is likely to occur. The main advantages of the intermittent system
is that excessive leaching of soluble compounds from the leaves and
water logging of the media is not take place.
In general, five system have been development to control the misting
cycle of the intermittent system. Of these five systems, three are used in

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commercial installations. These are 1) misting cycle time clock, 2)
electronic leaf, and 3) Mistomatic, the electric time clock consist of a
day night clock and a misting cycle clock connected with a solenoid
valve. The day night clock turns on the system in the morning, usually
just after sunrise, and off in the evening, usually just after sunset, the
misting cycle clock turns the system on and off for definite intervals
during the day, for ex, a commonly used misting cycle is one minute
with the clock set to mist the cutting for three, four, or five or more
seconds per minute. The main advantages of this system are that it has a
relatively low installation and maintenances cost. Its main
disadvantages are that manual operations required to change the misting
cycle.
The electronic leaf consists of a piece of plastic with two electrodes and
a control unit connected to a solenoid valve. It is based on the
assumption of evaporation of water from the leaves. Thus, the main
advantage of this system is that the period of misting varies with the rate
of evaporation and transpiration of waster from the leaves, which varies
according to temperature and light intensity.
The Mistomatic system consists of a small stainless steel or grid and a
control unit connected to a solenoid valve. Here again, this system
operates on the assumption that the rate of evaporation of water from the
screen or grid is practically the same as the rate of transpiration and
evaporation of water from the leaves. The operation of the Mistomatic
system is similar to that of the electronic leaf system, and its main
advantages and disadvantages are practically the same.



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20. 20
Reference
Homeguides.sfgate.com, www.dpi.nsw.gov.au
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/greenhouse
ecourse.iasr.res.in , www.biologydiscussion.com
floriculture-india.blogspot.in , www.agrinfo.in
My Agriculture information bank ,www.quora.com
Jugraphia.wordpress.com , www.agrislide.com
Common core, Unified botany IV







Date of submission: 3
rd
Oct ‘17

Marks allotted: