Effect of integrated nutrient management on growth and yield of Crossandra [Crossandra infundibuliformis (L.) Nees.] under the northern dry zone of Karnataka

Abstract

Studies were carried out to investigate the effect of integrated nutrient management on the growth and yield of Crossandra [Crossandra infundibuliformis (L.) Nees.] at the Department of Floriculture and Landscape Horticulture, College of Horticulture Munirabad, Koppal. Results recorded 120 days after imposition of the treatments, i.e. application of 125% RDF + Biofertilizers, had significantly improved the growth, flowering and yield attributes. There was a significant increase in plant height (42.73 cm), number of primary (9.33) and secondary (29.73) branches, and plant spread in NS (47.86) and EW (59.75) direction. It was on par with treatment including 100% RDF + Biofertilizers [plant height 40.36 cm, number of branches primary (7.96) secondary (25.87) and plant spread (cm) NS (45.14), EW (50.61), respectively]. Similarly, concerning flower and yield traits, the first spike initiation occurred as early as 87.67 days, days to 50 percent flowering (99.13 days), days taken to first harvest (91.25 days), duration of flowering (29.45 days), number of flowers per spike (28.35), number of spikes per plant (120.25), spike length (8.21 cm), the weight of 100 flowers (6.85 g), flower yield per plant (140.68 g), flower yield per plot (2.38 kg) and flower yield per hectare (3303.44 kg) recorded were found to be significantly higher. In contrast, flowering parameters were on par with 100% RDF + Biofertilizers and yield parameters were on par with 125% RDF + humic acid @ 0.5%.