The longevity of cut flowers is limited by their ephemeral nature and by multiple stresses. Impairment in water uptake, depletion of stored carbohydrates, increases in both respiratory activity and ethylene production are signatures of flower senescence. A wide range of techniques is available to extend flower preservation, including the use of flower preservative solutions, ethylene action inhibitors, growth regulators, and control of temperature and flower dehydration. The use of sucrose in pulsing solution, or as a component of vase solution, extends the vase life of flowers by either improving water balance and energy or delaying the senescence via reductions in ethylene biosynthesis. Inhibitors of ethylene production and action affect the longevity by extending the vase life of some ethylene-sensitive flowers. Flowers have intense respiratory activity, which may deplete the limited reserves of carbohydrates in the tissues. Lower temperatures markedly reduce both carbon dioxide concentration and ethylene production as well as its action. However, chilling-sensitive flowers, such as bird-of-paradise, heliconia, orchid, and ginger, cannot be stored below 10 to 13°C due to the intense development of tissue discoloration.

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Postharvest physiology of cut flowers

The hill regions of India include Himachal Pradesh, J&K, Uttarakhand and the North Eastern region (NE) comprising states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim, has been identified as a potential area for the development of floriculture owing to its diverse geo-climatic conditions and floral biodiversity.  The existing flower crops in NE region include orchids, roses, lilies, bulbous ornamentals, bird of paradise, gerbera, marigold, tuberose, begonia, dahlia, etc. Out of 1331 species of orchids reported, 856 species are found in this region including rare and endangered species of other ornamentals also. State wise floricultural activities, infrastructure, marketing and transport facilities, constraints, opportunities and relevant strategies discussed in details for the region.

Floriculture Industries, Opportunities and Challenges in Indian Hills

The long term residual effect of integrated use of organic and inorganic nutrient sources on soil fertility was studied at Division of Soil Science, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya. The integrated nutrient management experiment was conducted during 2000-2005. At the end of experiment, soils from different treatments were collected and used for this study. Application of lime and FYM along with 75% recommended NPK increased the soil pH (5.02) and decreased the exchangeable Al (0.69 meq 100g -1 ) whereas, control plot receiving 100% recommended NPK showed the lowest pH (4.19) and highest exchangeable Al (2.39 meq 100g -1 ). Combined application of FYM and biofertilizers along with 75% recommended NPK increased the organic carbon content (2.28 g 100g -1 ) whereas organic carbon content was decreased (1.78 g 100g -1 ) in the treatment receiving lime and biofertilizers along with 75% recommended NPK. Application of lime and FYM along with 100% recommended NPK increased P content (59.95 kg P2O5 ha -1 ) whereas, it decreased P content (18.27 kg P 2O5 ha -1 ) with zero NPK. Similarly, K content was increased (293.9 kg K 2O ha -1 ) in the treatment receiving FYM and biofertilizer along with 75% recommended NPK while it decreased (186.4 kg K2O ha -1 ) in control receiving zero NPK. Exchangeable base content was low (1.41 meq 100g

http://www.kiran.nic.in/pdf/IJHF/Vol27_1_new/1.%20SoilFertilityChangesunderLong-termIntegratedNutrient.pdf

Soil fertility changes under long-term integrated nutrient management practices on acid soils of Meghalaya

Orchidaceae is one of the two largest families in angiosperms. Orchids are popular owing to the most beautiful flowers they produce and due to their wide spread ethnobotanical importance. In this review, ethnobotanical uses and pharmacological activities of A. praemorsa is discussed by referring flora, journals, and search engines such as Google scholar, ScienceDirect and Pubmed. Ethnobotanical investigations have revealed the potential therapeutic roles of different parts of A. praemorsa. The orchid is used traditionally by for treating ailments such as stomachache, earache, backache, wounds, neuralgia, rheumatism, eye diseases, sciatica, cough and fracture. A. praemorsa is investigated for various pharmacological activities. Studies have revealed the potential of A. praemorsa to exhibit a range of bioactivities such as anticancer, antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. In conclusion, A. praemorsa is an extensively used epiphytic orchid for medicinal purposes in several parts of the India and other countries. Major emphasis has to be given in order to conserve this medicinally important orchid species. A. praemorsa can be a promising candidate in terms of its pharmacological potential.
Keywords: Orchids, Orchidaceae, Acampe praemorsa, Ethnobotanical, Pharmacological

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A comprehensive review on ethnobotanical applications and pharmacological activities of Acampe praemorsa (Roxb.) Blatt. & McCann (Orchidaceae)

. Tynsong H, Tiwari BK, Dkhar M. 2018. Plant diversity of Betel Leaf Agroforestry of South Meghalaya, Northeast India. Asian J For 2: 1-11. Large areas of lowland tropical forests of South Meghalaya have been converted into betel leaf agroforestry systems by the tribal people living in the area. The betel leaf agroforestry with diverse and structurally complex shade canopies conserve a significant portion of the original forest biodiversity. The impact of land-use change on biodiversity was studied using standard vegetation analysis and biodiversity estimation methods. A total of 160 plant species were recorded in natural forests out of which 75 were trees, 40 shrubs, and 45 herbs, while in betel leaf agroforestry, a total of 159 plant species, 94 trees, 17 shrubs and 48 herbs were recorded. A total of 34 tree species, 13 shrub species, and 14 herb species were common in both land-uses. All the plant species were native species. The study revealed that the conversion of natural forest to betel leaf agroforestry in South Meghalaya has no significant impact on tree and herb diversity. However, the basal area and density are affected to some extent. The land-use change has also affected the density and diversity of shrubs. The study concludes that betel leaf agroforestry in South Meghalaya developed by the indigenous War Khasi tribe through experiential learning over several generations has emerged as a fairly sustainable agroforestry system causing minimal impact on plant diversity.

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Plant diversity of Betel Leaf Agroforestry of South Meghalaya, Northeast India

Orchids account for a large share of global floriculture trade and are estimated around 10% of international fresh cut flower trade. They have taken a significant position in cut flower industry due to its attractiveness, diversity in forms, shape and color, high productivity, right season of bloom, and easy packing and transportation. Postharvest life of orchid cut flowers is influenced by pre-harvest factors like varietal or species differences, light intensity, sugar level of flowers, temperature and water loss. It is also affected by harvest factors such as time and stage of harvest and postharvest factors viz. ethylene production, precooling, pulsing, use of preservatives, packaging and storage. The hybrids of Dendrobium, Vanda and Mokara remain perfect from 7 days to 30 days. The flowers of Cattleya and Phalaenopsis remain fresh for 1 to 4 weeks whereas Aranda lasts for 18 to 28 days. Higher sugar levels of flowers improve longevity of cut flowers. The optimum harvesting stage of commercial orchids is fully open and mature flowers. In Cymbidium hyb. ‘PCMV’, harvest at two buds opened stage had maximum vase life (66.8 days). Ethylene is the main factor responsible for early senescence. In Cymbidium hybrid ‘Red Princess’ pulsing with 5% sucrose increases vase life upto 56 days. Pulsing with 4 mM STS for 10 minutes in Aranda and 0.5 mM STS for 24 hours in Phalaenopsis blocks the deleterious effect of ethylene. In tropical orchids like Dendrobium and Oncidium, AgNO3 (10-30 ppm) and HQS (50-100 ppm) extends vase life and bud opening of cut flowers. In Cymbidium, 1-MCP and AVG are superior to STS in prolonging the vase life of cut flowers. In Cymbidium ‘PCMV’, highest per cent of fully opened buds (75%) and maximum vase life (45 days) were recorded with the chemical combination of sugar 4% + salicylic acid 200 ppm. In orchids, cut spikes are inserted in tube containing water or water with preservatives and bunch of 5 or more or individual spikes are placed inside the CFB box in alternate fashion. Cool growing orchids are stored at lower temperature even at 5°C in cold chambers whereas tropical and subtropical orchids are stored at 7-10°C and 90-95% relative humidity.

/pdf/post-harvest-physiology-and-technology-in-orchids-133sxs9tkb.pdf

Post-Harvest Physiology and Technology in Orchids

Northeast India, a mega-diversity centre, comprises eight states, viz., Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura. It occupies 7.7% of India’s total geographical area supporting 50% of the flora (ca. 8000 species), of which 31.58% (ca. 2526 species) are endemic. The region is rich in orchids, ferns, oaks (Quercus spp.), bamboos, rhododendrons (Rhododendron spp.), magnolias (Magnolia spp.) etc. Orchids, believed to have evolved in this region , form a very noticeable feature of the vegetation here. Of about 1331 species of orchids, belonging to 186 genera reported from India; Northeast India sustains the highest number with about 856 species. Amongst them, 34 species of orchids are identified among the threatened plants of India and as many as endemic to different states of this region. Out of the eight orchid habitat regions in India, the two most important areas namely ; the Eastern Himalayas and the North Eastern Region fall within the politic al boundaries of North Eastern Region. Terrestrial orchids are located in humus rich moist earth under tree shades in North Western India. Western Ghats harbour the small flowered orchids. Epiphytic orchids are common in North-Eastern India which grows up to an elevation of 2,000 mmsl. Some of valuable Indian orchids from this region which are used in hybridization programme are Aerides multiflorum, Aerides odoratum, Arundina graminifolia, Arachnis, Bulbophyllum, Calanthe masuca, Coelogyne elata,C. flavida C. corymbosa; Cymbidium aloifolium,C. lowianum, C. devonianum, C. hookerianum, C. lancifolium, Dendrobium aphyllum, D. nobile, D. chrysanthum, D. farmeri, D. chrysanthum, D. densiflorum, D. moschatum, D. fimbriatum, D. jenkinsii, Paphiopedilum venustum,P. spicerianum, P. hirsutissimum, P. insigne, Phaius wallichii, Pleione praecox, Renanthera imschootiana, Rhyncostylis retusa, Thunia alba, Vanda cristata, Vanda coeruleaand Vanda coerulescens. Habitat

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R. P. Medhi

Papers

Post-Harvest Physiology and Technology in Orchids

Diversity and Conservation of Rare and Endemic Orchids of North East India - A Review