Effect of sewage water on growth and yield of marigold (Tagetes erecta L.)

Abstract

Marigold is one of the commercial loose flower crops which belongs to Asteraceae family. It is popular for its ease of cultivation and wide adaptability to varied agro climatic conditions. Rapid industrialization and urbanization has led to the increase in the volume of the waste water generation. Therefore, utilization of the sewage water for the irrigation could be the alternative way for this. As the sewage water also provides the nutrients and the other trace elements. The present work done at College of Horticulture; Kolar situated in the Eastern dry agro climatic Zone. Due to scattered rainfall pattern and depletion of ground water, irrigation is becoming highly challenging in these areas. In this regard use of sewage water in horticulture crops with proper scientific study will helpful to solve the growing problem. The experimental details include the African marigold (Maxima Yellow, Arka Bangara 2) plants were potted under polyhouse condition during rabi season and laid out in Factorial Randomized Complete Block Design (FRCBD) with 2 factors and 10 treatments with three replications. It was noted that growth parameters viz., plant height, number of branches, leaf area, shoot girth, plant spread were significantly highest in plants treated with 100% untreated sewage water (T2) and in yield parameters also highest in T2.