Effect of NPK on plant growth and flower yield of African marigold

Abstract

The present experiment was conducted to determine the response of different doses of N2, P2O5 and K2O on growth and flower yield of African marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) in the Department of Horticulture, Sam Higginbottom Institute of Agriculture Technology and Science, Allahabad, (U.P.) district Quetta during the winter season 2011. 10 treatments were included in the trial, viz.; T1 (Control); T2 (50: 25: 25); T3 (75: 50: 50); T4 (100: 75: 75); T5 (125: 100: 100); T6 (150: 125: 125); T7 (175: 100: 175); T8 (200: 200: 200); T9 (225: 200: 200) and T10 (250: 225: 225) N.P.K. kg/ha were tested in three replication. The experiment of design was Randomized Block Design. The results reveal that fertilizer treatments had significant response on plant height, number of branches per plant, number of leaves per plant, number of flowers per plant, flower diameter, flower stalk length, weight of flower and flower weight per plant. The maximum plant height (92.67 cm), number of branches per plant (18.27), number of leaves per plant (95.33), number of flowers per plant (36.33), flower stalk length per plant (8.67 cm) flower diameter (6.33 cm), weight of a flower (5.88) and total flower weight per plant (213.68) were produced by the treatment (T5) of N: P: K in a ratio of 125: 100: 100 kg/ha. It was the best treatment for good vegetative as well as reproductive growth. Application of N2, P2O5 and K2O at 125: 100: 100 kg/ha May be applied.