Effect of Anchoring Materials on the Growth and Development of Luffa cylindrica

Abstract

Some climbing plants use tendrils as efficient strategies to anchor and support their weights while they grow upwards. This research is mainly focused on the essential functions of tendrils that wrap around the support in a soft state by a coiling and then lignify or stiffen to strengthen the attachment. The study revealed that, anchoring material play a significant role in growth and development climbing plants. The tendrils helps to find a suitable host on which they can climb is one of the most important organs of vine. The five types of anchoring material were used in this investigation to test their suitability as supportive material viz. coconut rope, thin steel wire, tree trunk, dry branches of plants and metal fence spike wire. The tendril coiling in coconut rope found poor as compared to thin steel wire, they coiled only a small fiber on the surface of rope. The tree trunk and dry branches of plants were serve good anchoring materials to climb the tree as well as healthy vine growth and fruit size. The metal fence spike wire mounted on wall were also found suitable for further vine growth and yield of Luffa. This study revealed the suitability of anchoring material for the cultivation of Luffa cylindrica.