Study on effect of different growth hormones on growth, yield and quality of African marigold (Tagetes erecta L)

Abstract

This investigations were undertaken to study the effect different growth hormones on growth and yield of African marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) under Coimbatore condition, during March 2019 to October 2019 in two different seasons. The present experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications involving foliar application of Gibberellic acid, Cycocel, Brassinosteroids, and silicic acid. The study revealed that foliar application of Gibberellic acid (T2) at the rate of 150ppm showed a significant improvement in morphology and yield and quality parameters in African marigold. The result recorded of maximum plant height (72.52 cm), plant spread (40.89 cm), number of primary branches (9.77), number of flowers per plant (36.52), single flower weight (6.56 g), flower diameter (6.40 cm), flower yield per plant (239.57 g) and highest total carotenoid content (1.32 mg/g) and total xanthophyll content (1.71 mg/g) and total chlorophyll content (2.60 mg/g) were recorded in the treatment T2.whereas the Cycocel (CCC) at the rate of 2000ppm recorded dry matter production (62.93 g per plant), days taken for flower bud appearance (32.61 days), days to first harvest (51.53 days) as compared to control.