Nutrient uptake by African marigold (Tagetes Erecta L.) as influenced by fertigation, irrigation and mulching

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru during kharif and rabi seasons of 2016-17 to study the effect of fertigation, irrigation and mulching on nutrient uptake in African marigold. The results revealed that highest nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium uptake by African marigold in plots treated with irrigation at 1.0 Evapo-replenishment and fertigation with 100% recommended dose of fertilisers (RDF) and polyethylene mulching during both the seasons followed by 0.8 Evapo-replenishment and fertigation with 100% RDF and polyethylene mulching. Similar trend was observed in the uptake of micronutrients (iron, manganese, zinc and copper) as well. There was a decrease in uptake pattern of nutrients in case of rabi than kharif season. Among the treatments, the minimum nutrient uptake was recorded in 0.6 ER and soil application of normal fertilizers @ 100% RDF without Mulching.