Impact of growing media on growth and yield parameters of marigold in vertical planting (Tagetes erecta L.)

Abstract

Standardization of growing media for vertical planting of marigold was started at High Tech Floriculture Project farm, College of Agriculture, Pune, during Rabi 2023-2024. The present investigation was undertaken on marigold crop during rabi 2023-2024, with a view to study the growth, flowering, yield characters of marigold as influenced by growing media combination in vertical planting. The experiment was laid in Randomized Block Design comprising three replications with nine treatments viz., T1: [Red Soil 50% + Cocopeat 50% (v/v)], T2: [Red Soil 50% + Spent Mushroom 50% (v/v)], T3: [Red Soil 50% + Bagasse 50% (v/v)], T4: [Red Soil 50% + Cocopeat 25% + Spent Mushroom 25%(v/v)], T5: [Red Soil 50% + Cocopeat 25% + Bagasse 25% (v/v)], T6: [Red Soil 50% + Spent Mushroom 25% + Bagasse 25% (v/v)], T7: [Red Soil 25% + Cocopeat 25% + Spent Mushroom 25% + Bagasse 25% (v/v)], T8: [Red Soil 100% (v/v)], T9: [Absolute control]. In present investigation, marigold seedlings were transplanted in UV stabilized bags in the field. The results of present investigation concluded that treatment T4: [Red Soil 50% + Cocopeat 25% + Spent Mushroom 25%(v/v)] followed by T2: [Red Soil 50% + Spent Mushroom 50% (v/v)] is beneficial to increase growth, flowering and yield quality of marigold compared to all other treatments and in vertical planting and absolute control.