Effect of biostimulants as a foliar spray on growth, flowering, and yield of China aster (Callistephus chinensis (L.) Nees) cv. Arka Kamini

Abstract

The present investigation carried out on China aster cv. Arka Kamini to know the effect of Biostimulants as a foliar spray on growth, flowering, yield, and quality. The result indicated that among the treatment plant sprayed with the interaction T3 Seaweed extract (0.5%) combination with Phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) 200 g/l of water + Potassium solubilizing bacteria (KSB) 200 g/l of water was recorded significantly maximum plant height (62.66 cm), number of leaves per plant (111.45), leaf area (1398.30 cm2), number of primary branches per plant (10.28) and number of secondary branches per plant (12.80). minimum number of days to first flower bud initiation (60.41 days), minimum days to 50% flowering (71.76 days) and highest duration of flowering (69.67 days), flower diameter (7.20 cm), fresh weight of flower (2.53 g), total number of flowers per plant (65.38), flower yield per plant (270.31 g), flower yield per plot (18.35 kg), shelf life of loose flowers (40.53 hours) and vase life of cut flowers (7.16 days). Thus, combined application of biostimulants and biofertilizers could be considered as a suitable treatment for enhanced growth, flowering, yield, and quality of China aster.