Effect of micronutrients (Fe and Zn) on flowering and yield attributes of chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium) cv. Mayur 5

Abstract

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.