Response of INM to Plant growth, Flower yield and Shelf life of African marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) cv. Pusa Basanti Gainda

Abstract

The present investigation entitled “Effect of Integrated nutrient management (INM) on Plant growth, Flower yield and shelf life of African Marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) c.v. Pusa basanti” , was under taken at department of horticulture, during the year 2013-14. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with 13 treatments replicated thrice. The treatments comprised of FYM, vermicompost, poultry manure and bio- fertilizer (Azotobacter) with 25% RDF, 50% RDF and 75% RDF in different combinations including control (RDF). The results revealed that application of 75% RDF + 25% vermicompost (T2) produced significantly maximum plant height (76.77 cm), number of primary and secondary branches per plant (19.40, 33.47 respectively), number of leaves per plant (209.6), earliest in days to first flower bud initiation (50.07), days to first flowering (58.07) and days to 50% per cent flowering (62.87), Also number of flowers per plant (44.07), flower diameter (6.96 cm), flowering duration (54 days), average flower weight (8.52 g), flower yield per plant (375.42 g) and flower yield per plot (3.51 kg), flower yield per hectare (16.65 t) as compared to control and with application of 50% RDF + 50% vermicompost (T6) showed maximum shelf life (6.70 days) of flowers at room temperature. Economic point of view treatment T2 was found to be most economically viable in terms of gross return, net return and benefit cost ratio (2.52:1).