Response of integrated nutrient management on plant growth, flower yield and shelf life of african marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) cv. Pusa Narangi Gainda

Abstract

The present investigation entitled “Effect of Integrated nutrient management on Plant growth, Flower yield and shelf life of African Marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) c.v. Pusa Narangi Gainda, was under taken at K.V.K, Ganjam-II, Berhampur, odisha during the year 2016-17. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with 8treatments replicated thrice. The treatments comprised of various combination of recommended dose of fertilizer i.e. RDF (120:80:80 kg NPK/ha), FYM (10t/ha), vermicompost (13t/ha), biofertilizers (Azotobacter, Azospirillum, Phosphobacterium @ 4 kg/ha) including control (no application of manure and fertiliser). The results revealed that application of 75% RDF + 25% vermicompost+ Biofertilizers (T4) produced significantly maximum plant height (77.44cm), number of primary and secondary branches per plant (16.40, 33.47 respectively), number of leaves per plant (198.27), earliest in days to first flower bud initiation (30.07) and days to first flowering (48.07), Also number of flowers per plant (34.07), flower diameter (6.92 cm), flowering duration (54 days), flower yield per plant (315.42 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+ Biofertilizers (T6) showed maximum shelf life (7.75 days) of flowers at room temperature.