Vol. 11, Issue 12 (2022)

Author(s):
Samanweeta Satapathy and Chitta Ranjan Mohanty

Abstract:
The Present investigation to study effect of N, P and Bio-fertilizer on growth and flowering of Annual Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum coronarium) cv. Local was carried out in form of a field trial at the Agricultural Research Station, Binjhagiri, Chhatabar, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (Deemed to be University), Bhubaneswar during 2021-22. Three levels of Nitrogen viz., 100(N1), 150(N2) and 200(N3) kg/ha, two levels of Phosphorus viz., 50(P1) and 100(P2) kg/ha and a common dose of Potassium 100(K) kg/ha along with or without two Bio-Fertilizers, viz., Azotobacter and Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB) each at 5 kg/ha were tried to determine the most suitable & economical dose for maximization of flower production. After three months of planting, plants with maximum height (99.40 cm) and basal stem diameter (9.04 cm), were observed under application of 150 kg N+100 kg P+100 kg K +5 kg each of Azotobacter and PSB/ha (N2P2KB1 i.e.T8). Application of 200 kg N+50 kg P +100 kg K + 5 kg each of Azotobacter and PSB/ha (N3P1KB1 i.e.T10) resulted in production of maximum plant spread (58.06 cm) in E-W direction, number of compound leaves (572 nos.) and primary branches (29.0 nos.) per plant remaining at par with T8 in respect of these parameters. The weight of individual flowers was not significantly influenced by various fertilizer treatments although application of 150 kg N+50 kg P+100 kg K+5 kg each of Azotobacter and PSB/ha (N2P1KB1 i.e.T6 recorded the maximum weight (2.71 g). Application of 150 kg N +100 kg P +100kg K +5 kg each of Azotobacter and PSB (N2P2KB1 i.e.T8) recorded maximum number (97 nos.) of flowers per plant and per plot (2910 nos.), as well as per hectare (4041667 nos.) and T12 (N3P2KB1) receiving 200 kgN+100 kg P+100 kg K+B1 was next to this treatment with respect to these parameters without showing significant variation from the former. Application of 150 kg N, 100 kg P and 100 kg K along with soil application of 5 kg each Azotobacter and PSB/ha (N2P2KB1 i.e.T8) was found optimum which exhibited better performance with respect to growth and flower production in Annual Chrysanthemum cv. Local which may be recommended to the flower growers for its commercial cultivation.