Research Journal of Agricultural Sciences 2011, 2(2): 226-229

Anthurium Varieties Performance and Economics under Greenhouse

A D Agasimani, D K Harish, S J Imamsaheb, V S Patil, C Kamati and D A Preveenkumar Department of Horticulture,

University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad – 580 005, Karnataka, India e-mail: akku_agni@yahoo.co.in

A B S T R A C T An experiment was conducted to evaluate the performance and economics of anthuriums. One year after planting significant difference was observed with respect to varieties. Among the ten varieties tried, number of leaves (5.2), leaf length (18.49cm), leaf breadth (14.84cm) and leaf area (237.42cm

2) was

highest in variety “Esmeralda” compared to other varieties. More number of suckers (4.14) was found in variety Ivory. Floral characters like; stalk length (39.46cm), stalk diameter (6.83mm) and girth (18.33mm), spathe length (15.71cm), spadix length (8.24cm), number of flowers per plant per year (9.33) and vase life (21days) was highest in variety Esmeralda. Economics study showed that there is a significant difference with respect to varieties, one year after planting. Among the ten varieties tried, variety ‘Esmeralda’ had the highest B: C ratio (3.8) and the variety ‘Ivory’ had the lowest B: C ratio (0.7). The total cost of cladding material including shade net was Rs.12133. The cost of each plant is Rs.65. The total cost of cultivation of anthurium varieties under greenhouse was Rs.1, 60, 670.7 for 560m2 area.

Key words: Anthurium, Varieties, Greenhouse, Economics

Floriculture is a fast emerging industry in the

world. Today, floriculture is a lucrative profession with higher potential for returns than most of the field and

other horticultural crops. The demand for flowers both

in India and International markets is increasing at a

faster rate owing to the liberalization of economy and

globalization of trade. The leading flowers which are in

great demand are rose, chrysanthemum, carnation,

gladiolus and anthurium. Anthuriums are gaining

popularity due to higher returns per unit area and their

beautiful and attractive long lasting flowers.

Anthurium ranks ninth in the global flower trade

and commands a respectable price both for its cut

flower and whole plant. In India, the anthurium cut flower industry is still in its infancy. At present

anthuriums are mostly grown in some small gardens

and nurseries. However, some progressive farmers

started growing anthurium under protected condition

around Bangalore, Belgaum, Goa, Sirsi etc. The

important states cultivating anthuriums are Assam,

Kerala, Tamilnadu (Salem) and Karnataka (Coorg),

where the favourable climate exists.

MATERIALS AND METHODS The present investigation on was carried out at the

Hi-Tech Horticulture Unit, Main Agricultural Research Station, Saidapur Farm, Department of Horticulture,

University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, which is

situated in the transitional tract of Karnataka at 15° 26'

Northern latitude, 76° 07' Eastern longitude and at an

altitude of 678m above mean sea level. Experiment was

carried during 2007-08. Ten cut flower varieties of

anthurium were selected for the study. The varieties under study were Flame, Caesar, Aymara, Grace, Ivory,

Acapana, Jewel, Titicaca, Esmeralda and Chias which

were supplied by KF-Bio plants, Pune.

The greenhouse is partially environmental

controlled with fan and pad system of size 560 m2 (28 ×

20m) which is oriented at East-West direction. This

involves placing a mattress (pad) on one side of the

greenhouse and on opposite side ventilators (fans) to

regulate the temperature. Foggers are fixed inside the

greenhouse to control the humidity. Shade nets of 50

percent used to regulate the shade. The temperature and

relative humidity maintained under greenhouse are 20-28º C and 60-80%, respectively. Air from the fan is

sucked in through the pad. By circulating water through

the mattress (pad), the air will absorb the (evaporating)

water. This process requires energy and the energy is

extracted from the air, so that the temperature drops and

simultaneously the relative humidity of the greenhouse

air rises. Cost of the structure is Rs. 600 per meter

square area with life span of 20 years.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Variety Esmeralda produced the maximum number

of leaves per plant (5.20) which was significantly superior to other varieties. The minimum number of

leaves per plant (3.05) was recorded in var. Grace.

Variations in leaf production could be expected among

the cultivars as the attribute to a genetic character. Different varieties showed significant influence on leaf

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Table 2 Vegetative characters of different anthurium varieties

Stalk

length (cm)

Stalk diameter

(mm)

Spathe

length (cm)

Spathe

breadth (cm)

Stalk girth

(mm)

No. of Flowers/

plant/ year

Vase life

(days)

24.20

25.44

22.81

28.64

18.29 19.90

18.43

30.20

39.46

28.55

2.73

3.40

3.67

3.37

3.33 5.37

3.93

5.37

6.83

4.17

10.20

9.39

9.41

9.06

7.54 11.84

10.61

13.40

15.71

9.53

8.11

9.11

7.04

8.23

5.15 7.08

10.68

16.18

13.95

9.25

7.86

9.90

10.84

9.86

9.83 15.96

11.45

15.29

18.33

13.37

5.83

5.43

6.17

7.43

3.33 4.83

6.67

7.83

9.33

9.00

15.00

11.67

15.00

16.00

10.00 19.00

12.33

15.00

21.00

11.67

25.61 4.22 10.78 9.30 12.27 5.69 14.67

0.23

0.68

0.30

0.88

0.05

0.14

0.07

0.21

0.61

1.80

0.21

0.63

0.41

1.21

length. Var. Esmeralda produced maximum leaf length

(18.49cm) and minimum leaf length (12.74cm) was

recorded in var. Flame (Henny 1999). Among different varieties „Esmeralda‟ recorded the maximum leaf

breadth (14.84cm) and minimum was recorded in

variety „Chias‟ (8.84cm). Nirmala (1996), Henny

(1999) and Henny and Norman (2001) had reported

similar results. Among different varieties „Esmeralda‟

recorded the maximum leaf area (237.24cm) and

minimum was recorded in variety „Chias‟ (100.10cm).

These results are in agreement with the reports of

Chandrappa (2002) in anthurium. Similar results were

recorded by Femina et al. (2006) in cultivar „Pistache‟

with leaf area (80.22 cm2). Number of suckers in variety

„Acapana‟ recorded maximum (3.47) which was superior over other varieties, while variety Jewel

recorded minimum number of suckers per plant (0.49).

Esmeralda had the maximum flower stalk length

(39.46cm) and minimum stalk length was recorded in

Ivory (18.29cm). Shriram et al. (2008) also reviewed

the similar results in variety „Esmeralda‟. Among

different varieties, Esmeralda recorded maximum

flower stalk diameter (6.83mm) which found to be

superior and flame (2.73mm) recorded minimum stalk

diameter. Esmeralda recorded maximum flower stalk

girth (18.33mm) and the minimum was recorded in flame (7.86mm). Esmeralda had the maximum spathe

length (15.71cm) and minimum spathe length (7.54cm)

was recorded in Grace (Femina et al. 2006). Titicaca

had the maximum spathe breadth (16.18cm) and

minimum spathe breadth was recorded in aymara

(7.04cm). Talia et al. (2003) conducted an experiment

to evaluate different varieties and had opined that

variety „Queen‟ had shown a bigger spathe. These

results are in line with that of Jawaharlal et al. (2001).

Esmeralda had the maximum spadix length (8.24cm)

and minimum spadix length was recorded in Grace

(3.35cm). Among different varieties, the maximum number of

flowers produced per plant per year was in variety

„Esmeralda‟ (9.33) and minimum in case of variety

„Ivory‟ (3.33). Vase life of flowers was significantly

differing among different varieties. The maximum vase

life was observed in Esmeralda (21days) where as

minimum (10days) was recorded in Ivory (Shriram et

al. 2008).

Table 1 Vegetative characters of different anthurium varieties

Varieties No. of leaves/

plant

Leaf length

(cm)

Leaf breadth

(cm)

Leaf area

(cm2)

No. of suckers/

plant

Flame

Caesar

Aymara

Grace

Ivory

Acapana

Jewel

Titicaca Esmeralda

Chias

3.95

3.65

4.20

3.05

3.80

3.75

4.25

4.90 5.20

4.60

12.74

16.18

15.88

12.86

15.43

14.24

14.46

17.42 18.49

13.32

10.26

12.61

13.36

9.51

11.87

9.62

10.86

12.33 14.84

8.84

111.10

178.72

153.18

103.78

167.67

116.04

133.63

186.18 237.24

100.10

1.83

1.65

2.30

1.60

4.14

3.47

0.49

2.30 1.90

2.67

Mean 4.10 15.10 11.36 148.77 2.05

S.Em+

CD at 5%

0.22

0.64

0.50

1.49

0.36

1.06

22.80

68.30

0.05

0.15

Agasimani et al.

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Table 3 Economics of cut flower production of different anthurium varieties under greenhouse

Cultivars Total cost (Rs.) Flower yield/ 560 m2 Gross returns (Rs.) Net returns (Rs.) B : C ratio

Flame 160670.7 48160 481600 320929.3 2.0

Caesar 160670.7 45920 459200 298529.3 1.9

Aymara 160670.7 51520 515200 354529.3 2.2

Grace 160670.7 62720 627200 466529.3 2.9

Ivory 160670.7 28000 280000 119329.3 0.7

Acapana 160670.7 40320 403200 242529.3 1.5 Jewel 160670.7 54880 548800 388129.3 2.4

Titicaca 160670.7 64960 649600 488929.3 3.0

Esmeralda 160670.7 77280 772800 612129.3 3.8

Chias 160670.7 75600 756000 595329.3 3.7

Table 4 Details of Economics of anthurium cultivation under greenhouse (560 m2) for one year

S. No. Particulars

Amount in Rupees

Total costs

Depreciated

costs

1 Fixed costs

a) Structure (Excluding cladding material) @ Rs. 600/m2 for the life

span of 20 years

336000 16800

c) Irrigation and fertigation system @ Rs. 85/m2 for the lifespan of 10

years

47600 4760

b) Cladding material + shadenet @ Rs. 65/m2 for the life span of 3 years 36400 12133 d) Planting material @ Rs. 65/plant (13 plants/m2) for the life span of 6

years

405600 67600.0

2 Repair and maintenance @ Rs. 900/year - 900

3 Interest on fixed costs* - 3410.72

4 Total apparitional cost** - 104670.7

5 Cost of cultivation @ Rs.100/ m2/ year - 56000

6 Total cost of cultivation (4 + 5) - 160670.7

7 Revenue (135 flowers/m2/years @ Rs. 15/flower) - 1134000

8 Net profit (7-6) - 973329.3 Note: * ** All depreciated costs (a+b+c+d) + 2+3

Acapana are preferred because of their attractive

lustrous and good size foliage having more leaf area with good keeping quality and with respect to floral

characters variety „Esmeralda‟, „Chias‟ and „Titicaca‟

are highly preferred because of their attractive flowers,

excellent flower size, high yield production and long

shelf life.

Economics study

Heavy investment was needed in the establishment

of anthurium crops. Total cost of cultivation was Rs. 1,

60, 670.7 and revenue (130 flowers/ 560m2/ years @

Rs.15/ flower) was Rs. 11, 34, 000. Net profit was Rs. 9, 73, 329.3 for 560m2 area (Gajanana and

Subrahmanyam 1999). Highest benefit cost ratio was

recorded in Esmeralda (3.8) in which total cost of

cultivation was Rs. 1, 60, 670.7 with net returns Rs. 6,

12, 129.3 and gross returns Rs.7, 72, 800 from the

flower yield of 77, 280 for 560m2 area.

Benefit cost ratio for variety „Chias‟ was recorded

3.7 in which total cost of cultivation was Rs. 1, 60, 670.7 with net returns Rs. 5, 95, 329.3 and gross returns

Rs.7, 56, 000 from the flower yield of 75, 600 for

560m2 area these studies were in line with Kiyuna et al.

(2004). Benefit cost ratio for variety „Titicaca‟ was

recorded 3.0 in which total cost of cultivation was Rs. 1,

60, 670.7 with net returns Rs. 4, 88, 929.3 and gross

returns Rs.6, 49, 600 from the flower yield of 64,960

for 560m2 area. Benefit cost ratio for variety „Grace‟

was recorded 2.9 in which total cost of cultivation was

Rs. 1, 60, 670.7 with net returns Rs. 4, 66, 529.3 and

gross returns Rs.6, 27, 200 from the flower yield of 62,720 for 560m2 area.

Benefit cost ratio for variety „Jewel‟ was recorded

2.4 in which total cost of cultivation was Rs. 1, 60,

670.7 with net returns Rs. 3, 88, 129.3 and gross returns

Rs. 5, 48, 800 from the flower yield of 54, 880 for

560m2 area. Benefit cost ratio for variety „Aymara‟ was

Anthurium Varieties Performance and Economics under Greenhouse

(a+c) 0.12 (b+d) 0.12

No. of Yr. (10) No. of Yr. (3)

+

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Results revealed that with respect to foliage, variety

„Esmeralda‟, „Titicaca‟, „Aymara‟ „Caesar‟ and

recorded 2.2 in which total cost of cultivation was Rs. 1,

60, 670.7 with net returns Rs. 3, 54, 529.3 and gross

returns Rs.5, 15, 200 from the flower yield of 51, 520

for 560m2 area. Benefit cost ratio for variety „Flame‟ was recorded 2.0 in which total cost of cultivation was

Rs. 1, 60, 670.7 with net returns Rs. 3, 20, 929.3 and

gross returns Rs. 4, 81, 600 from the flower yield of 48,

160 for 560m2 area.

Benefit cost ratio for variety „Caesar‟ was recorded

1.9 in which total cost of cultivation was Rs. 1, 60,

670.7 with net returns Rs. 2, 98, 529.3 and gross returns

Rs. 4, 59, 200 from the flower yield of 45, 920 for

560m2 area (Salvi 1997). Benefit cost ratio for variety

„Acapana‟ was recorded 1.5 in which total cost of

cultivation was Rs. 1, 60, 670.7 with net returns Rs. 2,

42, 529.3 and gross returns Rs. 4, 03, 200 from the

flower yield of 40, 320 for 560m2 area. Benefit cost

ratio for variety „Ivory‟ was recorded 0.7 which is

considered to be a loss. In this total cost of cultivation

was Rs. 1, 60, 670.7 with net returns Rs. 1, 19, 329.3 and gross returns Rs. 2, 80, 000 from the flower yield of

28, 000 for 560m2 area.

Recognizing the potential for low cost production

for export, in view of cheap land, labour and other

resources, several export oriented units are being set up

in the country. Of the total establishment cost, seedlings

and structure cost was higher. Heavy investment was

needed in the establishment of anthurium crops

(Shivaprasad 2002, Beena 2003).

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Horticulture 6(2): 162.

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cultivars under different systems of growing in humid tropical plains. Journal of Ornamental Horticulture

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Gajanana T M and Subrahmanyam K V. 1999. Economics of production of marketing of anthuriums in Karnataka.

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