Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

FLOWERING ATTRIBUTES AND YIELD OF CHRYSANTHEMUM (DENDRANTHEMA GRANDIFLORA TZVELEV) AS INFLUENCED BY INTEGRATED NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT

Mridubhashini Patanwar and Gaurav Sharma

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of integrated nutrient management on the flowering attributes and yield of chrysanthemum during the year 2012-2013. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications and twelve treatment combinations comprising of biofertilizers, organic manures and inorganic fertilizers. Treatments with application of Azospirillum (Azo) + Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB) + 50% Recommended dose of nitrogen (RD‘N’) as vermicompost (VC) + 50% Recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) and Azo+PSB+50%RD ‘N’ through farm yard manure (FYM)+50% RDF were found to be more effective and at par in increasing the yield attributes viz., flower diameter, number of flowers per plant, number of florets per flower, average flower weight as well as flower yield per plant and flower yield per hectare. Early flower blooming and increased duration of flowering were also recorded in these treatments. Significantly superior and longest shelf life however, was recorded with the treatment receiving Azo+PSB+50% RD ‘N’ through FYM+50% RDF. Thus, use of inorganic fertilizers conjointly with bio-fertilizers and organic manures resulted in better yield attributes and flower yield in chrysanthemum.