Influence of potting media composition on quality flower production of petunia (Petunia hybrida)

Abstract

An experiment was conducted at Banda University of Agriculture & Technology, Banda to evaluate the effect of different growing media compositions containing cocopeat, Vermicompost, FYM, Leaf Mold, Perlite, and vermiculite in different ratios on vegetative growth and flowering of petunia plant. The results revealed that, the maximum root length and root spread were observed in media composition T5 [Cocopeat + Vermicompost + Vermiculite (2:1:1)] whereas, vegetative growth with no of leaves per plants, no of branches per plant and plant spread in T4 [Cocopeat + Perlite + Vermicompost (2:1:1)]. The better flower quality parameters like flower diameter, flower bud diameter, stalk length of flower were observed in T5 media containing Cocopeat + Vermicompost + Vermiculite (2:1:1) while minimum days taken to bud initiation (60.75) and first flower opening (66.66) in T2 [Soil + Sand + Vermicompost (2:1:1)]. However, plants showed the significant root growth, vegetative growth with better flowering time and quality was highest in media containing Cocopeat + Vermicompost + Vermiculite (2:1:1). Therefore, the findings suggest that for quality flower production of potted petunia growing media composition of T5 [Cocopeat + Vermicompost + Vermiculite (2:1:1)] was ideal with better plant morphological development and sustained flowering for display.