Influence of micronutrients on growth, flowering and yield of African marigold (Tagetes erecta L.)

Abstract

The study investigated the influence of four selected micronutrients viz., Zinc, Boron, Ferrous sulphate and Mangenese each at 0.5% and their combinations on the yield of African Marigold var. Pusa Narangi Gainda. The micronutrients and their combinations were applied as foliar spray in two different intervals (One at 20 days after transplanting and other at 40 days after transplanting) to African marigold in the experimental farm of the Adhiparasakthi Horticultural College, Kalavai, during 2017-19. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications. Regular cultural practices were adopted and observations such as plant height, number of branches, number of leaves, leaf area, days to first flowering, duration of flowering, number of flowers, flower head diameter, flower yield and xanthophyll content were recorded at regular intervals and statistically analyzed. Among the treatments, plants sprayed with Zinc @ 0.5% and Boron @ 0.5% twice recorded maximum plant height, more number of branches, maximum number of leaves, Maximum leaf area, earliness in flowering, more number of flowers, highest flower diameter, flower yield and maximum xanthophyll content.