STUDIES ON THE EFFECT OF MICRONUTRIENTS ON GROWTH, YIELD AND FLOWER QUALITY OF GERBERA (Gerbera jamesonii Bolus ex. Hooker F.) UNDER POLYHOUSE CONDITION
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Date
2015-03-12
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University of Agricultural Sciences GKVK, Bangalore
Abstract
An experiment was conducted to evaluate the growth, yield, flower quality of
gerbera under polyhouse condition during 2007 to 2009 at Department of Horticulture,
GKVK, Bangalore. The main objective of the study was to identify suitable spray interval
and ideal micronutrient and dosage to obtain better growth, superior quality flowers and
maximum yield. Of the two spray interval, significantly higher plant height, more number
of leaves per plant, maximum plant spread and higher sucker production was recorded
with application of micronutrients at 15 days interval than weekly interval. Among varied
levels of micronutrients, treatment T11 (MnSO4 @ 0.25% + ZnSO4 @ 0.25% + Borax @
0.10% + FeSO4 @ 0.25% + CuSO4 @ 0.05%) recorded taller plant, maximum plant
spread and higher sucker production during entire crop period. Foliar application of
FeSO4 @ 0.25% induced early bud emergence (48.43 days). Among quality characters,
significantly highest stalk length (55.07 cm), stalk diameter and higher flower head
diameter was obtained in MnSO4 @ 0.25% + ZnSO4 @ 0.25% + Borax @ 0.10% +
FeSO4 @ 0.25% + CuSO4 @ 0.05% at fortnightly spray interval (S2T11). Significantly
highest cumulative cut flower yield per plant per square meter and per ha was recorded at
15 days spray interval (81.01 nos., 599.94 nos. and 47.95 lakh respectively) over seven
days. Treatment T11 produced highest cumulative yield per plant per meter square and per
ha (94.11nos., 696.42 nos. and 55.70, lakh respectively). Significantly highest percentage
of first grade flowers (78%) was recorded in treatment T11 at fortnightly spray interval.
Higher accumulation of micronutrient content in leaf was found in weekly spray interval.
Vase life of cut flowers obtained in treatment T11 and T5 was maximum (14 days) and
S2T11 treatment combination registered maximum net returns (Rs. 34,55,588 ) and highest
cost benefit ratio of 1.39.
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