Vol. 10, Issue 2 (2021)

Author(s):
Subhendu Jena and CR Mohanty

Abstract:
The Present investigation to study effect of spacing on growth and flowering of Annual Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum coronarium) was carried out in form of a field trial at the Agricultural Research Station, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (Deemed to be University), Bhubaneswar during 2019-20.Result of the study revealed that among four different spacings viz., 30 cmX30 cm(S₁),40 cmX30 cm (S₂), 60 cm X40 cm (S₃) and 60 cm X60 cm (S₄) tried, plants with maximum spread (East-West), number of leaves, number of flowers per plant(215.02), and flower diameter were recorded under te widest spacing of 60 cm x60 cm (S₄). However, maximum delay in appearance of first flower bud was noticed under this spacing treatment which took 26.44 days for the same. On the other hand lowest number(5,160.53 nos) of flowers per plot as well as per hectare(5,972839.51nos )were recorded under this widest spacing(S₄).Plants grown under the closest spacing 30cm X30 cm (S₁) recorded the minimum values with respect to plant spread, number of leaves, number of flowers per plant(200.36) and flower diameter. However, appearance of first flower bud in the plant was the earliest (24.84 days) under the closest spacing. Besides, flower yield in terms of number per plot (19,234.13 nos) and per hectare (22,261728.40 nos) was the highest under the closest spacing of 30 cm x30 cm(S₁). Parameter like plant height was not significantly influenced by various spacing treatments although it was the highest and lowest under the closest(S₁) and widest(S₄) spacings respectively. Hence, it was concluded that adoption of closest spacing of 30cm x 30cm was most suitable practice for maximizing flower yield in annual chrysanthemum cv. Local which may be recommended to the flower growers for its commercial cultivation.