Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore-3.
*Part of thesis submitted by the first author for the award of M. Sc. (Ag) Degree of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University.
Investigations were undertaken to study the effect of different dates of pruning on growth, development and yield of Jathi Malli (J. grandiflorum). The vigour of the plant as judged by the weight of pruning was directly associated with the total yield of flowers. Flowers bud appearance and the time taken from pruning to first picking of flowers were late in the plants pruned on 28th January and was early in the plants pruned on 28th March. The plants pruned on 28th December exhibited highest values far various floral characters.
Duration of flowering was extended for a period of eight months in the early pruned plants, while it was less in late pruned plants. The peak flowering was observed during July-August, irrespective of the different dates of pruning and the time of commencement of flowering. Plants pruned on 28th December recorded the highest yield of flowers, while the lowest was with the plants pruned on 28th March.
