Effect of Organic Sources of Nutrients on Growth and Flowering of Spray Chrysanthemum

Aims: Chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflora Tzvelev) also known as “Queen of the East” is one of the most imperative and the oldest flowering plant which is grown all over the world. Organic manures and bio-fertilizers improve soil health by increasing soil microorganisms and it helps the easy uptake of nutrients when crop is required to make it from unavailable form to available form. The present study was conducted to identify the best organic sources of nutrients for quality flower production of Chrysanthemum var. Aparajita.

Experimental Design: The experiment was laid out in RCBD (Randomized Completely Block Design) where treatments comprised with control and application of enriched FYM, enriched Vermicompost, enriched poultry manures as well as spraying with seaweeds extract singly and/or in combination as per the treatment.

Place and Duration of the Experiment: The present investigation was carried out at Instructional Farm, Department of Floriculture, Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya in the year of 2018-2020. The place is situated in Terai Region of West Bengal at 260 19 N latitude and 890 23 E longitude.

Results: The results revealed that application of enriched FYM @ 12.5t/ha+ enriched vermicompost @ 2.5t/ha + Seaweeds extract spraying @ 3 ml/l (T11) recorded maximum plant height (46.19 cm), plant spread (E-W: 26.54 cm and N-S: 26.72 cm), production of more number of primary branches (7.25) and leaves per plant (105.33), minimum days taken to first flower bud initiation (68.13 days) and first flower full blooming (10.11 days), more number of flowers per plant (35.16), vase life (14.55 days) in tap water, maximum Gross return (Rs. 517957.00 per ha) and B:C ratio (1:2.53) while minimum was recorded in control (T1) as compare to other treatments.

Conclusion: Based on the experiment, it had been concluded that application of enriched FYM @ 12.5t/ha+ enriched vermicompost @ 2.5t/ha + Seaweeds extract spraying @ 3 ml/l in combination was the best for organic cultivation of spray Chrysanthemum in the Terai region of West Bengal which was also economically viable for poor and marginal farmers of West Bengal.