TUBEROSE

Tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa L.), belongs to the family, Amaryllidaceae. The predominant
characteristics of this crop are its delightful fragrance, prettiness and excellent keeping quality. It
has good economic potential for loose flower/cut flower trade and essential oil industry.

IMPORTANCE AND USES

The flowers remain fresh for pretty long time and stands long distance transport.
They are used for making artistic garlands, floral ornaments, bouquets and buttonholes.
The long flower spikes are excellent cut flowers for table decoration.
The variegated ones with beautiful golden stripes on foliage margins are very attractive and
suitable for garden display.
Tuberose is cultivated on a large scale in some parts of the world for the extraction of highly
valued natural flower oil, the tuberose oil. This essential oil is an expensive raw material in
perfumery (used in highest grade perfumes). Sometimes, the oil is used in flavouring candy,
beverages and baked food. The fresh flowers give a concrete yield of 0.08 to 0.11 %, of which
nearly 18 to
23% constitutes the alcohol-soluble 'absolute'.

ORIGIN AND DISTRIBUTION:

The tuberose is a native of Mexico. It is grown commercially in a number of countries including
India, Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, France, Italy, Hawaii, South Africa, Taiwan, North Carolina,
USA, Egypt, China and many other tropical and subtropical areas in the world.
In India, tuberose is cultivated on a commercial scale in West Bengal, Karnataka, Andhra
Pradesh; Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Assam, Rajasthan, Gujarat etc.

PLANT MORPHOLOGY:
Polianthes tuberosa is a half hardy, bulbous perennial with fibrous roots, having a bulb like
tuberous root-stock and the foliage is arranged in a rosette at the base. An erect herb, 60-120 cm
high with stout and short bulbs. Leaves basal, 6-9 in number, 30-45 cm long, about 1.3 cm wide,
linear, bright green, reddish near the base. The leaves are light-green, long, narrow and very
dense /rosette, grass- like. The leaves sometimes reddish near the base. The flowering stalk
emerges from the centre of the cluster of leaves, about 80-120 cm long bearing successively
smaller long pointed clasping leaves, uppermost ones are much reduced and bract-like. The
flower buds are tubular.
Flowers are funnel shaped, fragrant and are borne in pairs on a long terminal spike. The segments
are 1 to 2 cm long; the tube is long, narrow and funnel-shaped, slightly bent near the base. The
filaments are attached to the upper part of the corolla. The ovary is 3-celled; there are 3 stigmas
which are ovate-falcate. The fruit is crowned by a persistent perianth and the seeds are flat.

SPECIES AND VARIETIES:

There are about fifteen species under the genus Polianthes, Except Polianthes tuberosa L., all the
others are found growing wild. Flowers of Polianthes tuberosa L. are funnel shaped, waxy white,
the tube bent only near the base, filaments attached on upper part of corolla, Fragrant, in long
terminal racemes. There are three types of tuberoses on the basis of the number of rows of petals
they bear. They are single, semi-double and double.
(i) Single flowered tuberose:
Ex., Rajat Rekha (mutant from NBRI, with silvery white streak all along the middle of the leaf
blade), Calcutta Single, Shringar, Single Mexican etc.,
Cultivars having flowers with one row of corolla segments. Flowers are extensively used for
essential oil extraction and also for loose flowers. Single types are more fragrant than double.
Also the per cent seed setting is high in single. Its floral buds are greenish white. Flowers are pure
white with only one row of corolla segment. Concrete content has been observed to be 0.08 to
0.11 per cent. Loose flowers are used for making floral ornaments.
(ii) Semi double flowered tuberose:
Flowers with 2-3 rows of corolla segments on straight spikes used for cut flowers also.
E.g. Cv. Semi Double bears white flowers with two to three rows of corolla.
(iii) Double flowered tuberose:
Petals are in several whorls. Spikes used as cut flower as well as loose flower and for extraction
of essential oil. Concrete recovery has been found to be 0.06%. Flower colour white and also
tinged with pinkish red. The double type of tuberose is previously known as pearl. It does not
open well and is not commercially viable as the single cultivar.
Eg: Suvarna Rekha (mutant from NBRI, with golden yellow streaks along the leaf margins),
Suvasini
There are some streaked leaf forms called variegated types
Description of some varieties
Shringar:
It is released by IIHR, Bangalore. This variety has been developed form a cross between ‘Single
x Double’. It bears single type of flowers on sturdy spikes. Shringar is preferred by farmers and
perfumery industries.
Suvasini:
A multi whorled variety developed form the cross between ‘Single’ x ‘Double’. Spikes are best
suited as cut flower.
Prajwal: This hybrid which bears single type flowers on tall stiff spikes is from the cross
‘Shringar’ x ‘Mexican Single’. The flower buds are slightly pinkish in colour while the flowers
are white. Recommended both for loose flower and cut flower purpose.
Vaibhav: The hybrid which bears semi-double flowers on medium spikes is from
the cross ‘Mexican Single’ x IIHR – 2. The flower buds are greenish in colour. Flowers are white.
Good for cut flower purpose.

SOIL AND CLIMATIC REQUIREMENT:

SOIL:
Tuberose can be grown on wide variety of soils from light, sandy loam to a clay loam. However,
porous well-drained sandy loam soils are best suited for tuberose cultivation. The soil should be
at least 45 cm deep, well drained, rich in organic matter and and nutrients with plenty of moisture
in it. The soil should have a pH range from 6.5 to 7.5 with good aeration. The crop can be grown
even in high saline-alkaline soils with better agronomical practices.

CLIMATE:
The crop is best suited for cultivation in tropical to subtropical and temperate climates. The crop
is reported to flower profusely throughout the year, if the climate is mild and free from extremes
of high and low temperature. A temperature range from 20-30°C is considered ideal for this crop.
If the temperature is above 40°C, the spike length and quality of the flowers are affected. Very
low temperature and frost will damage the plants and flowers.

SEASON OF PLANTING:
Best season for planting is May-July. To obtain flowers almost throughout the year, staggered or
sequential planting can be practiced.

PROPAGATION:
Tuberoses are propagated by bulbs, bulblets and seeds. Multiplication by bulb-segments and in
vitro micro propagation from scale stem-sections is also possible. Propagation by bulbs is the
most common method practiced for the commercial multiplication of tuberoses.
The bulbs are separated from the clumps by rubbing off the loose scales and the long roots should
also be removed. Boat shaped or spindle shaped bulbs with a diameter of 2 to 3 cm size are
preferred for planting. However, if the bulbs are very large they may be cut into 2-3 vertical
sections, each containing a bud and part of the basal plate. About 1.25 to 1.5 lakh bulbs (800-900
kg) are required for planting one hectare. Bulbs are planted after 30 days of harvest.

LAND PREPARATION, PLANTING AND MANURING

The land is ploughed two to three times to a depth of 45 cm. FYM @ 30 t/ha is mixed well with
soil. Apply rock phosphate @ 250 kg/ha and SoP (sulphate of potash) @100 kg/ha. The bulbs
preferably with size 2-5 cm or above are to be planted at a depth of 7-10 cm, with a spacing of 20
cm x 25 cm.

IRRIGATION:
Irrigation is given immediately after planting. Subsequently, the crop is irrigated at 5-7 days
intervals depending upon weather conditions. In the summer months, irrigation is recommended
twice a week.

INTERCULTURE:
In order to keep the plots free of weeds and to avoid the exposure of bulbs, the plots are weeded
fortnightly and earthed-up once a month. Earthing-up enables the spikes to grow erect, despite
strong winds and rains. Earthing up to 10-15 cm height is done when plants are 15-20 cm high.
Mulching the plots with strips of black polythene, dried grass and chopped straw is effective in
controlling weeds. The flower-spikes should be supported by stakes after about 2 1/2 months of
planting.

RATOON CROP
After the harvest of the main crop, the flower stalks are headed back and the plot is manured and
irrigated. Three or four ratoon crops can be taken from single planting. For ratooning in tuberose,
the yellowing plants should be twisted from the ground level which leads to early maturing of
bulbs. Fertilizer dose as given in the main crop should be applied in two equal split doses in
January-February and April. There is early flowering in ratoon crop as compared to main crop.
Results in more number of spikes but less number of florets, length of spikes and weight of
flowers.
Therefore, ratoon crop should be used only for loose flower or oil extraction purpose.

PLANT PROTECTION

Slugs and grass hoppers feed on the leaves and thrips damage and cause distortion of the
spikes. Spray Beauveria bassiana 20 g/l on the leaves. Panchagavya 3 % can also be sprayed at
15 days interval to manage the pests.

Sclerotial wilt -Sclerotium rolfsii

Characterised by flaccidity and drooping of leaves. The leaves become yellow and dry up. The
fungus mainly affects the roots and the infection gradually spreads through the tuber and collar
portion of the stem. Both bulbs and roots show rotting symptoms.
Management: Drenching the soil with Pseudomonas.
HARVESTING AND YIELD:
Tuberose flowers all the year round. Flowers are ready for harvest in about 3 to 3 1/2 months of
planting. August-September is the peak period of flowering. Depending on the purpose,
harvesting is done by cutting the spikes from the base or single flowers are harvested as they
open by picking of individual flowers. For loose flower purpose individual flowers (half or fully
open) are plucked.
For cut flower production, spikes should be cut when first pair of flowers is fully open.

Harvesting is done preferably in the early morning hours or late in the evening by clipping with
sharp knife or secateurs that gives a clean cut. About 4-6 cm basal portion has to be left to allow
the growth of bulb. The lower portion of the cut spikes immediately after harvest, are to be
immersed in water for prolonging life of spikes.

The yield of loose flowers/spike depends on variety, planting distance and climate condition
prevailing in the area. The average yield of flowers in plant crop is 5-10 t/ha, first ratoon is 9-12
t/ha and second ratoon is 4-6 t/ha.

One hectare of tuberose plantation yield 4-5 lakhs of spikes per year from single varieties, 10.5
tonnes/ha of loose flowers may be harvested. In addition, 20 tones/ha of bulbs may be harvested
after 2-3 years.

POST HARVEST HANDLING

Straight and strong stem of uniform length and uniform stage of development are preferred.
Flowers should be free from bruises and diseases and pests. Loose flowers are packed in bamboo
baskets or gunny bags or polythene bags lined with newspaper. Cut flowers are marketed in
bunches of 25, 50 or 100 and these bunches/bundles are packed in bamboo baskets, card board
cartons/containers and are transported vertically. To avoid damage of the flowers and buds, the
whole bundle may be wrapped with soft, white tissue paper or polythene. Flower spikes are
graded according to spike length, rachis length and number of flowers per spike. Loose flowers
are graded according to flower size. The fresh flowers can be stored at
10oC for 5 days.

EXTRACTION OF ESSENTIAL OIL

Solvent extraction method is used. The extraction of the tuberose flowers with petroleum ether
yields 0.08-0.11 % of concrete, which gives 18-23% of absolute on treatment with alcohol and
contains 3% steam distillate. About 150 kg of flowers are required to produce 1 kg absolute.
The concrete yield is about 17-18 kg/ha which gives 3.5 kg absolute and 0.8 kg distillable oil.

LIFTING, CURING AND STORAGE OF BULBS:

Bulbs reach maturity at the cessation of flowering when the leaves become yellow and dry. At
this stage, irrigation is withheld and the soil is allowed to dry. The leaves are cut off at the ground
level and the bulbs are dug out. After digging, the bulbs are lifted out and the adhering earth
shaken off neatly and thoroughly. The offsets are then separated out by hand, which are used as
seed-stock for the next season. The bulbs are the graded based on the size into mature (> 1.5 cm
diameter) and immature (< 1.5 cm diameter). Cleaned and graded bulbs are placed on shelves to
dry or cure. To hasten curing, artificial heat of 27 to 35 C may be applied. The bulbs must be
o

stirred or have their position changed every few days to prevent fungal attack and rotting. Curing
can also be done by tying the bulbs in bunches and hanging them on frames and walls.