Response of Rhynchostylis retusa L. to mineral nutrients in different growing supports

Abstract

An experiment was carried out during 2013–14 and 2014–2015. The experiment was laid out in factorial CRD with two factors, mineral nutrients viz., M1 (RDF+Zn 250 ppm), M2 (RDF+Zn 500 ppm), M3 (RDF+Zn 750 ppm), M4 (RDF+Mg 250 ppm), M5 (RDF+Mg 500 ppm), M6 (RDF+Mg 1000 ppm), M7 (RDF+Ca 250 ppm), M8 (RDF+Ca 500 ppm), M9 (RDF+Ca 1000 ppm) and M10 (control) and growing supports viz., G1 (side perforated earthen pot), G2(bamboo basket), G3(coco husk block) and G4 (wooden log). M8 was found superior in respect of growth characters viz., plant height (41.14 cm), number of leaves per plant (8.33) and M3 in respect of flower characters viz., minimum days to full bloom (84.83), highest spike length (41.65 cm), number of florets per spike (88.79), number of spikes per plant (3.58), self life (16.50 days) and vase life (11.17 days). However, the highest plant height (38.72 cm) and number of leaves per plant (7.13) were recorded in G1 as well as minimum days for full bloom (87.38), the highest spike length (36.97 cm), number of florets per spike (79.23), number of spikes per plant (2.70), self life (13.33 days) and vase life (9.25 days) were recorded in G2. M8G1 and M3G2 considered as the suitable combinations for growth and flowering parameters, respectively.