Introduction

It is commonly called as Rajani Gandha. It produces waxy, white and fragrant flowers on long spikes, which are mostly used as cut flower, for making garlands and extracting essential oil. It is commercially cultivated in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Karnataka. Flowers are of two types i.e. single and double.

Single variety: Calcutta single, Coimbatore Single, Bangalore Single, Maxican. Double type: Pearl, Rajat and Dhawal

• Climate

It is a warm climatic flower. In general, cool weather, high atmospheric humidity and moist soil conditions are congenial for the manufacturing of food, better production of high quality flowers and bulbs.

• Soil

Soil should be sandy loam or loamy sand in texture for better production of bulbs. It should be moderate fertile with good water holding capacity, and with pH ranging between 7.0-8.0.

The field should be well prepared by giving 2-3 ploughing. Planting should be done in March-April at the distance of 20x20cm. Bulb weighing about 40-50g is suitable for planting for the production of healthy spikes. The ratoon crop is taken upto third year.

Incorporate 40-50 tonnes per ha of well rotten farmyard manure before planting time. Application of 20g Nitrogen and phosphorus/sq m is found to be optimum for flower production.

It requires sufficient soil moisture for its growth and flower production. The weekly irrigation is required during April-June. Irrigation during July to September depends upon rains whereas during October-March irrigation at the interval of 10 days is sufficient to meet its requirement.

No serious insects, pests and diseases have been observed, however, the incidence of nematode (Meloidygyne icognita) has been observed which can be controlled by dipping the bulbs before planting in 0.5% Nuvacron 40 E.C. for half an hour.

The stage of harvesting of flowers depends upon the distance of travel and varies with the kind of flower. For local market, tuberose should be cut when lower 2-3 florets have opened. For distant market, flowers are cut when basal florets show colour.