Integrated nutrient management using natural farming inputs for improved growth and flowering of tuberose (Agave amica)

Abstract

Tuberose (Agave amica) belonging to the family Asparagaceae is indigenous to Mexico and widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions for cut and loose flowers as well as for essential oil extraction. Being a heavy nutrition demanding perennial crop, its growth, flowering and bulb development are strongly influenced by soil fertility and nutrient management. Thus, a field trial was performed at Model Floriculture Center, G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, over a period of two years (2023-2025) to evaluate the effect of various integrated nutrient management treatments including Beejamrit, Ghanjeevamrit, Herbal Kunapajala, Jeevamrit and RDF on the vegetative, floral and bulb attributes of tuberose. The experiment comprised seven treatments laid out in a randomized block design (RBD) with three replications. It was reported that, based on the pooled mean data over two years, T6 (Beejamrit + Ghanjeevamrit + 50% RDF + 50% herbal Kunapjal) was the most effective treatment for most of the vegetative growth attributes and resulted in maximum plant height, increased leaf length, higher number of leaves and wider leaves. On the other hand, the application of 100% RDF (T1) produced the maximum loose flower yield per plant as well as per hectare, followed by the treatments comprising Beejamrit + Ghanjeevamrit + 50% RDF + 50% herbal Kunapjal (T6) and Beejamrit + Ghanjeevamrit + 50% RDF + 50% Jeevamrit. Conversely, T1 (100% RDF) recorded the highest bulb clump weight and the largest bulb diameter. In contrast, treatments relying solely on organic inputs resulted in comparatively reduced vegetative growth and lower loose flower yield and reduced bulb clump weight.