Vol. 12, Issue 7 (2023)

Author(s):
Pushpa Lata Tirkey, Dr. Pooja Gupta, Dr. Muktilata Tirkey and Deveshwar Prasad Patel

Abstract:
The investigation was effect of pinching and spacing on growth and yield attributes of African marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) Pusa Narangi Gainda” was conducted during 2019-20 and 2020-21 at Research cum Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture and research institute, Raigarh, Chhattisgarh. The treatment comprised of three factors i.e. different planting season (C₁ : Kharif, C₂ :Rabi and C₃ : Summer ), three spacing ( S₁: 30 x 30 cm, S₂ : 45 x 45 cm, and S₂ : 50 x 50 cm) and Three level of pinching (P₀ : No pinching, P₁ :Single pinching and P₂ :Double pinching ).Three factor experiment in laid out the randomized block Design (Factorial) with three replication. There were all together 27 treatment in this combinations. As far as spacing treatments i.e. S₁: 30 x 30 cm significantly higher plant height and earliest fist bud appearance during both the years. Flower yield per plant (g), flower yield per plot (kg) and yield (t/ha) was recorded maximum in this treatment during both the years and two year mean. The result indicated that the treatment P₂: double pinching performed significantly (maximum reduction of plant height), maximum duration of flower (days). In respect of Pinching in marigold is a process of increase in flower yield through the diversion of energy through breaking apical dominance in plants. Pinching increases the flower yield (20.89 t/ha) compared to non- pinching (18.10 t/ha) in marigold.