Vol. 11, Issue 5 (2022)

Author(s):
S Bharath Kumar, P Prasanth, M Sreenivas, P Gouthami and G Sathish

Abstract:
The present study entitled “Effect of NPK, Biofertilizers and Biostimulants on flowering, flower quality and yield of China aster (Callistephus chinensis L.) Cv. Arka Kamini” was carried at Floricultural Research Station, (Agricultural Research Institute) Rajendranagar, Hyderabad during October 2020 to April 2021. The experiment was laid out in Completely Randomized Design with three replications and seven treatments. Among different treatments of flowering, flower quality and yield parameters T₃ - RDF 75% + Azotobacter + PSB + KSB + Seaweed extract (0.5%) recorded least number of days taken for flower bud initiation (50.64 days), minimum number of days taken for bud opening (18.33 days), minimum number of days for 50% flowering (60.97 days), maximum duration of flowering (48.37 days), maximum flower longevity on plant (15.22 days), maximum number of flowers per plant (21.98) and maximum flower yield per plant (50.16 g). Whereas, all the flowering parameters are at par with treatment T₆ - RDF 50% + Azotobacter + PSB + KSB + Seaweed extract (0.5%) flower bud initiation (51.82 days), number of days taken for bud opening (18.50 days), number of days for 50% flowering (61.28 days), duration of flowering (48.00 days). Therefore, it is concluded that T₃ - RDF 75% + Azotobacter + PSB + KSB + Seaweed extract (0.5%) is the better treatment for flowering and yield parameters when compared with other treatments. The highest benefit cost ratio of 2.37 was obtained in the treatment T₃ - RDF 75% + Azotobacter + PSB + KSB + Seaweed extract (0.5%).