THE EFFECT OF ELECTRIC SHOCK ON VEGETATIVE AND FLORAL GROWTH CHARACTERS OF Ranunculus asiaticus

Jasim, S.N

	THE EFFECT OF ELECTRIC SHOCK ON VEGETATIVE AND FLORAL GROWTH CHARACTERS OF Ranunculus asiaticus
The Iraqi Journal of Agricultural Science
Article 1, Volume 38, Issue 6, 2007, Pages 110-117
Author
S.N Jasim
Abstract
This experiment was undertaken in the lathhouse of the Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture –University of Baghdad in fall of 2006 to investigate the effect of electric shock AC (5,10 Ampere) and two timings (3 and 6 minutes) on vegetative and flowering growth characters of Ranunculus plants. A special electric apparatus was prepared for the purpose. The tuber roots of Ranunculus were treated as mentioned above after soaking for 3 hour in a 1% NaCl solution. Then transplanted in the soil after soaking in a fresh water for same period (3h).A randomized complete block design with three replicates was used. The tuber roots treated with( 5Amperex6min) significantly increased plant height ,leaf area ,tuber root number(3.28tuber root/ plant) as compared with control(3). The same treatment for 3 and 6 min ,increased shoot number/ plant, number of flowers (6.84) and (5.6) flowers/ plant as compared to control(3.75 flowers/ plant), thickness of flower stalk 1.32cm and 0.89cm as compared with control(0.75cm) respectively. While treatment of ( 5A x 3min) gave higher dry weight for vegetative growth. The treatments ( 10A x 6min)and ( 10A x3min) gave higher chlorophyll content in leaves(355.9mg/m2), whereas the treatment (10Ax3min) gave highest total weight of tuber roots(8.11g)as compared to control(3.38g) .It was concluded from these results that using electric shock for a few minutes had significant effect on several vegetative and floral traits of Ranunculus plants . We recommend the use of treating Ranunculus plants after emergence with electric shock to improve and increase most vegetative and floral characters.

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