EFFECT OF DIFFERENT FERTIGATION LEVELS AND MULCHING ON GROWTH, YIELD AND QUALITY OF CHRYSANTHEMUM cv. THAI CHEN QUEEN 3345
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Date
2021-08
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JAU JUNAGADH
Abstract
The present investigation entitled “Effect of different fertigation levels and
mulching on growth, yield and quality of chrysanthemum cv. Thai Chen Queen” was
carried out at Madhadi baug, Fruit Research Station, Department of Horticulture,
Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh (Gujarat). The experiment was conducted
in Randomized Block Design with factorial concept with fifteen treatment
combinations, consisting three levels of fertigation i.e. 75 % RDF (F1), 100 % RDF
(F2), 125 % RDF (F3) and five different types of mulches i.e. black plastic mulch
(M1), silver plastic mulch (M2), white plastic mulch (M3), farm waste mulch (M4) and
control (M5). The treatments were repeated three times.
Among the various fertigation levels, application of 125 % RDF (F3) resulted
maximum plant height (29.60 cm), number of leaves per plant (134.13), number of
laterals per plant (10.77), spread of plants N-S direction (26.85 cm) and E-W direction
(26.40 cm) at full bloom stage in chrysanthemum. Significantly minimum days for
first flower bud appearance (42.73) were found in 125% RDF. Maximum number of
flowers per plant (64.79), number of flowers per plot (1050.17) and yield of flower
per plot (4.13 kg/plot) were recorded with the application of 125 % RDF (F3). The
results unveiled that an application of 125 % RDF (F3) significantly gave largest
flower diameter (11.50 cm), maximum flower weight (4.02 g), vase life (7.26 days),
dry weight of whole plant (180.73 g) and dry weight of flower (1.49 g) in
chrysanthemum. Significantly maximum chlorophyll content (60.64 SPAD) was
estimated from chrysanthemum plants treated with 125% RDF. Regarding nutrient
status, significantly highest NPK content (2.55 %, 1.42 % and 1.27%, respectively),
uptake of NPK (460.86 g/plant, 256.63 g/plant and 229.52 g/plant, respectively),
available N, P2O5 and K2O in soil (256 kg/ha, 50.92 kg/ ha, 363 kg/ha, respectively)
was recorded with the application of 125 % RDF (F3).
Application of black mulch (M1) in chrysanthemum plants significantly
increased vegetative growth with respect to plant height (31.22 cm), highest number
of leaves per plant (134.44), highest number of laterals per plant (10.87) and spread of
plant in N-S direction (27.08 cm) and E-W direction (27.48 cm) at full bloom stage.
Minimum days for first flower bud appearance (41.56) and for 50% flowering (79.44)
were found in black plastic mulch (M1). Black plastic mulch (M1) significantly gave
maximum number of flowers per plant (72.11), number of flowers per plot (1137.15)
and yield of flower per plot (3.80 kg/plot). Highest flower weight (3.70 g), vase life
(7.59 days), dry weight of whole plant (218.73 g) and dry weight of flower (1.51 g)
was found significant with black plastic mulch (M1) in chrysanthemum.
Chrysanthemum plants treated with black plastic mulch (M1) had significantly
recorded highest nitrogen content in plants (2.75%) and higher NPK uptake (601.50
g/plant, 306.22 g/plant and 271.22 g/plant, respectively). However, maximum
chlorophyll content (62.47 SPAD) was found in chrysanthemum plants treated with
black plastic mulch (M1).
Combined application of 125 % RDF with black plastic mulch (F3M1)
significantly increased number of flowers per plant (82), number of flowers per plot
(1378.67) and yield of flowers per plot (4.94 kg/plot) in chrysanthemum.
From the result of the present experiment, it can be concluded that the
application of 125 % RDF through fertigation with the application of black plastic
mulch enhanced all growth, yield and flowering parameters in chrysanthemum. The
same treatment was also resulted in the highest net return (Rs.220094/ha) and BCR
(1.92) and thus economically found best for production of chrysanthemum flowers.