Studies on physiological and biochemical changes associated with flower senescence in some ornamental members of family Amaryllidaceae.

The present study was undertaken on some ornamental members of Amaryllidaceae (Daffodil or Amaryllis family) a cosmopolitan, predominantly pantropical family of petaloid monocots. Family Amaryllidaceae represents a huge stock of ornamental plants comprising of 59 genera (850 species) with major centres of diversity in South America (28 genera) and South Africa (18 genera) (Simpson, 2006). Amaryllidaceae was first described by Jean Henri Jaume St. Hilaire in 1805, the family is named after “Amaryllis”, a pretty shepherdess mentioned by Theocritus, Virgil and Ovid. Amaryllidaceae members are close relatives of Alliaceae (the onion family) and Agapanthaceae (the agapanthus family). Majority flowers of Amaryllidacea qualify as beautiful cut flowers because of delicacy and in some cases fragrance such as, Amaryllis (belladonna lily), Crinum, Galanthus (snowdrop), Hippeastrum (amaryllis), Leucojum (snowflake), Lycoris (spider-lily) and Narcissus (daffodil). The potential value of family Amaryllidaceae has not been exploited as yet. These plants are commonly grown and have become well adapted to the climatic conditions of the Valley. It is in this perspective that the present study has been undertaken to unravel the mechanism of senescence, to develop adequate storage and handling techniques as also formulations for holding solutions to enhance the vase life of some ornamental plants of family Amaryllidaceae.Digital copy of Thesis.University of Kashmir