Vol. 11, Issue 12 (2022)

Author(s):
Samanweeta Satapathy and Chitta Ranjan Mohanty

Abstract:
The Present investigation to study the influence of N, P and Bio-fertilizer on growth and flower production 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 (B1 and B0) two Bio-Fertilizers, viz., Azotobacter and Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB) each at 5 kg/ha were tried to determine the most appropriate & economical dose for maximization of flower production. Significantly taller plants with maximum height (92.86 cm) and maximum basal stem diameter (8.9 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 (52.80 cm) in E-W direction. Application of 150 kg N+50 kg P+100 kg K+ 5kg each of Azotobacter & PSB/ha (N2P1KB1 i.e.T6) resulted in production of maximum number of compound leaves (451.66 nos.) and primary branches (22.20 nos.) per plant. However, except plant height, no significant difference existed among T6, T8, T10 and T12 with respect to other growth parameters reported. The size/diameter of individual flowers was significantly influenced by various fertilizer treatments. Although T10 recorded the maximum size/diameter (4.81 cm) of individual flower, it was followed by and at par with T8. Application of 150 kg N +100 kg P +100kg K +5 kg each of Azotobacter and PSB (T8) recorded maximum weight (177.66 g) of flowers per plant and per plot (5.33 kg), as well as per hectare (7.40 t) and T12 (N3P2KB1) & T10 (N3P1KB1) were next to this treatment with respect to these parameters without showing significant variation. Considering all growth and flowering parameters, it was concluded that application of 150 kg N, 100 kg P and 100 kg K along with soil application of 5 kg each Azotobacter and PSB/ha (T8) which exhibited better performance with respect to growth and flower production in Annual Chrysanthemum cv. Local may be recommended to the flower growers for its commercial cultivation.