Effect of NPK, Biofertilizers and Spacings on growth and yield of African marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) under Jatropha (Jatrpha curcas L.) based Horti-Silvicultural system

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at College of Forestry, SHUATS, Allahabad, during the rabi season of 2017, to determine the “Effect of NPK, Biofertilizers and Spacings on Growth and Yield of African Marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) Under Jatropha (Jatropha curcas L.) based Horti-Silvicultural system.” The experiment consisted of 7 fertility levels i.e. Control; 50% RDF of NPK; 50% RDF of NPK+ Azotobacter +PSB; 75% RDF of NPK; 75% RDF of NPK + Azotobacter +PSB; 100% RDF of NPK; 100% RDF of NPK + Azotobacter + PSB and 3 spacings ie., 45 x 45 cm; 60 x 45 cm; 60 x 60 cm were laid out in Factorial Randomized Block Design and replicated thrice. The results revealed that the treatment (100% RDF of NPK + Azotobacter + PSB) recorded the plant height (49.98 cm), number of primary branches plant-1 (14.77 DAT), plant spread E-W (55.46 cm2) & N-S (54.06 cm2), duration of flowering days (64.88) and number of flowers plant-1 (53.44) and under spacing i.e. (60x60 cm), whereas plant height (41.75 cm), number of primary branches plant-1 (11.09 DAT), plant spread E –W (41.73 cm2) & N-S (40.47 cm2), duration of flowering days (57.38) and number of flowers plant-1 (44.85). post-harvest observations viz., average weight of flower (8.63 g), average diameter of flower (7.22 cm), yield of flowers per plant (499.2 g), yield of flowers per plot (6.33 kg), yield of flowers per hectare (158.33 q ha-1) and under spacing i.e. (60 x 60 cm), whereas average weight of flower (7.34g), average diameter of flower (6.49 cm), yield of flowers per plant(356.5g), yield of flowers per plot (4.85 kg) and yield of flowers per hectare (121.42q ha-1).