Vol. 11, Issue 3 (2022)

Author(s):
NV Dalvi, BR Salvi, CD Pawar, VG Salvi, MM Burondkar, JS Dhekale and RG Khandekar

Abstract:
An investigation was carried out at Nursery No 4 farm of Horticulture at Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli during 2017 to 2019 to find out the response of spacing and nitrogen levels on growth and yield of tuberose spikes and bulb production. Among various interactions maximum plant height (33.28 cm), number of leaves (40.66), maximum average spread (34.17 cm) found in S₃N₄ (Wider spacing-30 cm x 30 cm and higher nitrogen level 250:50:50: kg NPK/ha).Closer spacing and higher nitrogen level (S₁N₄) contributed maximum leaf area (38.19 cm²) and maximum LAI (1.27) in S₁N₄ but early commencement of flowering (81.96), days for 50 percent flowering (101.81) and duration of flowering (39.90) was recorded by in S₂N_4. Closer spacing and higher nitrogen level (S₁N₄) significantly influenced Spike length (82.89 cm), number of florets per plant, diameter of flower (0.75 mm), fresh weight of 100 flowers (125.44 g) also maximum yield of spike per plant (1.27), per plot (90.13), flower yield per plot (3.46 kg) and per hectare (192.36 q) was obtained maximum in. Similarly maximum bulb yield per plant (1.53), bulb yield per plot (4.76 kg) and per hectare (199.95 q) was obtained in same interaction_. The available nitrogen from soil (kg ha^-1) after harvest of crop was obtained maximum at S₃N₂ (wider spacing and 150:50:50: kg NPK/ha.) interaction (257.42 kg ha^-1). Available uptake of nitrogen from plant at final stage was obtained maximum (63.20 kg ha^-1) at S₁N₄ interaction. In S₁N₁ interaction it was observed that available phosphorus from soil (7.66 kg ha^-1) was maximum while uptake of phosphorus from plant at final stage was obtained maximum (11.96 kg ha^-1) in S₁N₄ interaction. In pooled results at S₂N₄ available potassium from soil (383.93 kg ha^-1) after harvest of crop was obtained maximum while uptake of potassium from plant (84.99 kg ha^-1) at final stage was obtained maximum at S₁N₄ interaction. As S₁N₄ (closer spacing and 250:50:50 NPK kg ha^-1) was superior in yield of spikes and bulbs which ultimately generated maximum net returns (Rs.4,36,953.8/-) and recorded highest B:C ratio (2.10).