Vol. 11, Issue 12 (2022)

A field investigation entitled "Effect of plant density and calcium nitrate spray on growth, flowering and yield of China aster" was carried out during the years 2019-20 and 2020-21 at Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola with the objectives to study the effect of plant density and calcium nitrate spray on yield of China aster cv. Phule Ganesh White and to find out the suitable plant density and dose of calcium nitrate for quality production of China aster. The result of the present investigation indicated that, among the plant density treatment, significantly superior result in respect of flower yield plot^-1 (11.25 kg), flower yield ha^-1 (44.61 q), stalk length of flower (26.75 cm), vase life of cut flower (8.76 days) and shelf life of loose flower (6.08 days) were recorded in the 30 x 20 cm plant spacing. However, plant spaced at 30 x 30 cm recorded significantly maximum number of flowers plant^-1 (42.47), flower yield plant^-1 (371.41 g), diameter of fully opened flower (8.29 cm), stalk diameter of flower (0.50 cm) and weight of flower (8.73 g). Among the calcium nitrate treatment, significantly superior results for maximum number of flowers plant^-1 (40.22), flower yield plant^-1 (387.49 g), flower yield plot^-1 (11.47 kg), flower yield ha^-1 (45.51 q), diameter of fully opened flower (8.80 cm), stalk length of flower (25.97 cm), stalk diameter of flower (0.55 cm), weight of flower (9.60 g), vase life of cut flower (9.61 days) and shelf life of loose flower (7.06 days) were recorded in 1.0% calcium nitrate spray. Among the interaction effect (between plant density and calcium nitrate) the plant spaced at 30 x 20 cm and sprayed with 1.0 percent calcium nitrate was found better for maximum flower yield plot^-1 (15.09 kg) and flower yield ha^-1 (59.88 q) and stalk length (30.29 cm). Whereas, the treatment combination 30 x 30 cm with 1.0% calcium nitrate spray recorded maximum number of flowers plant^-1 (46.26), flower yield plant^-1 (472.74 g), stalk diameter (0.62 cm) and weight of flower (10.21 g).