Vol. 12, Issue 12 (2023)

Author(s):
VM Sonara, BM Nandre, Yogesh Pawar, VR Wankhade, Dhawani Patel and Kiran Kumari

Abstract:
The present investigation entitled, growth and flowering of African marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) as influenced by spacing and pinching was conducted during October, 2021 to February, 2022 at College Farm, College of Horticulture, S. D. Agricultural University, Jagudan, Dist. Mehsana, Gujarat. Experiment was comprised of two factors which included three spacing 60 cm × 30 cm (s₁), 60 cm × 45 cm (s₂) and 45 cm × 45 cm (s₃) and four pinching levels no pinching (p₀), pinching at 25 DAT (p₁), pinching at 40 DAT (p₂) and double pinching at 25 and 40 DAT (p₃). Growth and flowering parameters were observed and statistically analyzed in Split Plot Design. Treatment s₁ recorded maximum plant height (31.17, 49.12 and 63.93 cm), while s₂ gave maximum number of primary branches (4.91, 9.63 and 13.00) and plant spread [N-S (15.60, 26.21 and 44.33 cm) and E-W (15.92, 25.73 and 43.41 cm)] at 25, 40 and 90 DAT, respectively, secondary branches (15.85 and 40.55) at 40 and 90 DAT, diameter of flower (4.91 cm) and number of flowers per plant (82.43).p₀showed maximum plant height (50.77 and 64.62 cm at 40 and 90 DAT), number of pickings (10.82) and diameter of flower (5.21 cm), while p₃ gave maximum primary (9.67 and 12.40) and secondary branches (16.42 and 44.13) at 40 and 90 DAT, respectively, plant spread [N-S (43.60 cm) and E-W (43.71 cm)] at 90 DAT, number of flowers per plant (91.24), minimum days to bud initiation (22.69) and days to first picking (41.36). Treatment s₂p₀gave maximum plant height (70.06 cm at 90 DAT) and diameter of flower (5.68 cm) while s₂p₃ showed highest number of secondary branches (48.73 at 90 DAT).