Vol. 12, Issue 11 (2023)

Author(s):
J Anitha, Dr. K Kaladhar Babu, Dr. P Prasanth, Dr. G Jyothi and Dr. P Gouthami

Abstract:
The experiment entitled “Effect of Nano calcium and Silicon on growth, yield and quality of Gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii Bolus Ex. Hook) grown under shade net conditions” was conducted during the Rabi season of the year 2022-2023 at College of Horticulture, Mojerla, Sri Konda Laxman Telangana State Horticultural University. Among the treatments, the treatment T₉ (Nano calcium @ 2 g/l + Silicon @ 0.5 g/l) (3 sprays at 30, 60 and 90 DAT) recorded maximum plant height (54.50 cm), plant spread in East- West direction (55.13 cm), plant spread in North-South direction (65.30 cm), number of leaves plant^-1 (28.40), number of suckers plant^-1 (5.60), leaf area (130.09 cm²),chlorophyll content (79.62), flower diameter (11.05 cm), flower stalk length (55.00 cm), number of flowers plant^-1 One month^-1 (5.60), total flower yield plant^-1 (22.19), longevity of the flowers on plant (18.66 days), vase life (11.46 days), minimum scape bending curvature (7.50 degrees),whereas minimum number of days taken to first flower bud initiation (45.00 days), number of days taken to first flower opening (55.00 days) was recorded by T₅ treatment (Silicon @ 0.5 g/l) (3 sprays at 30,60 and 90 DAT). However, T₁ Control (Water spray) (3 sprays at 30, 60 and 90 DAT) recorded minimum in all the parameters.