Evaluation of NPK doses and varieties on vegetative and floral characters of offshoot propagated gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii) plants under shade net conditions

Abstract

The experiment was conducted during March 2013 to April 2014 in two factorial Randomized Block Design to evaluate the response of NPK application and varieties on growth and flowering of offshoot generated gerbera under shade net conditions. The experiment comprised of three treatments and seven varieties, replicated six times. Offshoot produced plants of different varieties of gerbera were planted at a spacing of 35×25cm and macro nutrients NPK (19:19:19) fertilizers were applied at the rate of 0, 30, 45 g per m2 per month at 15 days interval resulted that the var. Dune had maximum duration of flowering, number of flowers per plant and stalk thickness whereas var. Rich had maximum number of petals per flower, length of petal and flower diameter when treated with 45g/m2/month of NPK application. The var. Zingard recorded quickest to bud opening with highest vase life at 45g/m2/month of NPK.