Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat.) is one of the most popular cut flowers in the world and occupies important position in the world flower industry. An experiment was conducted to study the effect of saline stress on growth and biochemical indices on 10 chrysanthemum germplasm. It was determined by performance comparisons against control tests (without NaCl treatment) which acts as an indicator. Germplasm selected for the experiment were Garden Beauty, Shanti, Red Stone, Basanti, Yellow Reflex, Arka Ravikiran, Anmol, Mother Teresa, Sweta Singar and Jaya. Salt stress had significant effects on plant growth, assimilator pigment content and prolineconcentration. With application of 150 mM NaCl, there is reduction of shoot growth, root growth, leaf area, leaf number, shoot dry weight and chlorophyll content, whereas level of proline increased with increase salinity. Shoot elongation was less sensitive to salinity than root growth, with significant reductions in root growth at high salinity levels (150 mM). The genotype- Garden Beauty (5.03%) recorded minimum shoot length reduction, whereas minimum shoot dry weight reduction was observed in Anmol (23.97%) with increasing salinity. The genotype Basanti (2.35%)recorded minimum reduction in root growth. Minimum reduction in photosynthetic pigments was observed in Mother Teresa (51.55%) and high accumulation of proline content was recorded in Sweta Singar (162.50%). The genotypes Mother Teresa, Anmol, Basanti and Sweta Singar were found to be tolerant due to enhanced photosynthetic pigments, proline concentration and better shoot and root growth with higher salinity.

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The present study was carried out to investigate the in vivo betalain content in bract and leaf of some bougainvillea cultivars and to develop a reliable, rapid and efficient callus induction protocol. The maximum betacyanin content in bracts was recorded in the cv. Bhabha (2.68 mg/g FW) followed by cv. Rao (2.40 mg/g FW). The maximum betaxanthin content in bracts was recorded in the cv. Lady Mary Baring (1.27 mg/g FW). The maximum betacyanin content in leaf was recorded in the cv. Dr H B Singh (0.58 mg/g FW), while the maximum betaxanthin content in leaf was recorded in the cv. Bhabha (0.73 mg/g FW). The total betalain content in bract was estimated to be maximum in the cv. Bhabha (3.60 mg/g FW) followed by cv. Rao (3.36 mg/g FW). The total betalain content in leaf was highest in cv. Bhabha followed by cv. Dr R R Pal. Of the different treatments employed for callus induction on Murashige and Skoog’s (MS) medium using leaf explants in bougainvillea cv. Bhabha, the treatment comprising 6 mg/l 2,4-D recorded maximum induction coefficient (98.75%) and minimum days (8.50) was required for callus initiation. In case of internodal explants the induction coefficient was lower and more number of days was required for callus initiation. No callus induction was recorded on bract. Absolutely no callus induction was noted on the MS basal medium devoid of plant hormones (control). The maximum gain in callus biomass accumulation, in both the explants, in terms of fresh and dry cell weight was recorded in the callus cultured on MS medium supplemented with 6 mg/l 2,4-D. This treatment also resulted in lowest fresh and dry cell weight ratio in leaf and internodal explants. Wounding of leaf explants was found to be beneficial for accelerating the callogenesis process. The multiplication of callus was satisfactory on MS medium supplemented with doubled quantity of vitamins and 6 mg/l 2,4-D.

A field experiment was carried out to study the effect of zinc and iron on growth, yield and quality of chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat. ) cv. Mayur 5 during 2016 and 2017. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications comprising nine levels of micronutrients, i. e. control (T1), ZnSO4 @ 0. 1% (T2), ZnSO4 @ 0. 2% (T3), ZnSO4 @ 0. 5% (T4), FeSO4 @ 0. 2% (T5), FeSO4 @ 0. 5% (T6), FeSO4 @ 0. 8% (T7), FeSO4 + ZnSO4 @ 0. 5% each (T8) and FeSO4 + ZnSO4 @ 0. 7% each (T9). Combined foliar spray of FeSO4 + ZnSO4@ 0. 5% recorded best results for number of branches per plant (37. 00), minimum days for flower opening (94. 67), petal length (2. 17 cm), petal width (0. 63cm), flower bud diameter (1. 339 cm), flower longevity (28. 00 days), single flower weight (1. 27g), plant dry weight (98. 33 g), number of flowers per plant (218. 33), flower yield per plant (218. 33g) and flower yield/m2 (2988. 62g). Maximum flower diameter and chlorophyll content (SPAD reading) was also recorded with individual spray of FeSO4 @ 0. 5% (T6). Among the treatment, ZnSO4 + FeSO4 @ 0. 5% (T8) gave best results for flower production and yield for chrysanthemum under open field conditions.

An attempt was made to substantiate the optimum sucrose level and light conditions for biosynthesis of betalain pigments (betaxanthins and betacyaninins) from callus cultures of bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spp.). A sucrose concentration of 50 g/l in MS medium resulted in maximum response coefficient with earliest pigment initiation and intensification. Sucrose at 50 g/l resulted in significant increase in production of betacyanin and betaxanthin as compared to control. Under high sucrose concentration callus growth was significantly decreased. Continuous blue light was most effective in enhancing the betacyanin and betaxanthin content in the callus cultures. Under complete darkness there was significant decrease in pigment content but the callus growth was increased.