Effect of fertility levels, plant spacing and MH on growth and flower yield of African marigold (Tagetes erecta Linn.) cv. Pusa Narangi Gainda

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted to find out the effect of fertility level, plant spacing and MH on vegetative growth, flowering and yield of African marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) cv. Pusa Narangi Gainda at Research Farm of Horticulture, R.B.S. College, Bichpuri, Agra (U.P.) during Kharif season of 2000 and 2002. The results based on two year pooled data revealed that among the levels of fertility, the optimum level of 40 g N + 20 g P2O5 + 20 g K2O/m2 (F2) gave the maximum fresh and dry weight of plant (g), yield of flowers (q ha-1), N, P and K content (%) and their uptake (kg ha-1). Whereas, the minimum days to initiation bud, commencement of flower and first plucking of flowers were recorded with 30 g N + 10 g P2O5 + 10 g K2O/m2 (F1) fertility level. Further, plant grown at widest spacing of 60 cm  60 cm (S3) recorded the maximum fresh and dry weight of plant (g) and N, P and K content (%) in plant bio-mass but days to initiation bud, commencement of flower and first plucking of flowers were recorded minimum at intermediary plant spacing 45 cm  45 cm (S2) even then plant spacing 30 cm  30 cm (S1) yielded more fresh weight of flowers (q ha-1) and uptake of N, P and K (kg ha-1). Besides, the application of MH @ 750 ppm proved the best in respect of fresh and dry weight of plant (g), yield of flowers (q ha-1) uptake of N, P and K (kg ha-1). While, minimum days to initiation bud, commencement of flower and first plucking of flowers were recorded with control (0 ppm MH).