Vol. 12, Issue 9 (2023)

An experiment was conducted on the ‘Effect of cotton gin waste growing media on growth and flowering of zinnia (Zinnia elegans)’ during the year 2022-23, at Dr. YSRHU-COH, Venkataramannagudem with an objective of evaluating the effect of different growing media fortified with cotton gin waste-based compost on growth and flowering of zinnia. The experiment was conducted in completely randomized design with thirteen treatments and replicated twice. Among the growth parameters studied plant height was significantly highest in the medium comprising of red soil + cotton gin waste + cocopeat (1:2:1) on par with red soil + cotton gin waste + vermicompost (1:2:1). The lowest plant height was observed in red soil alone. Observations on other vegetative parameters viz., plant spread, number of leaves, leaf area followed similar trend. The medium composition with red soil + cotton gin waste + cocopeat (1:2:1) was also found significantly superior to the rest of treatments in respect of flower characters viz., earliness of flowering, number of flowers per plant, flower diameter, vase life. Plants grown in exclusive red soil were found significantly less in the above flowering parameters.