Vol. 10, Issue 7 (2021)

Author(s):
L Gowthami, V Vijaya Bhaskar, K Swarajya Lakshmi, G Srinivasa Rao and VV Padmaja

Abstract:
Three essential heavy metals viz., MnSO₄, CuSO₄, and ZnSO₄ at different graded levels were used in the present investigation with the main objective to study their influence on different floral parameters and fresh flower yield of tuberose cv. ‘Prajwal’. The experiment was carried out in polybag culture method and conducted with a Completely Randomized Design with factorial concept using three replications. Data recorded on different floral parameters and fresh flower yield of tuberose cv. ‘Prajwal’ were analyzed statistically using OPSTAT software and least significant difference was used to differentiate the treatments. Statistical analysis of results indicated that application of ZnSO₄ @ 400 mg kg^-1 soil recorded a significant improvement in many of the floral parameters viz., early in spike emergence (66.73 days) and first floret opening (6.33 days), number of spikes produced per plant (1.53 and 1.16 respectively during 2019-20 and the pooled data analysis), number of florets per spike (23.83, 25.20 and 24.51 respectively during 2018-19, 2019-20 and the pooled data analysis), diameter of floret (18.00 mm, 22.63 mm and 20.31 mm respectively during 2018-19, 2019-20 and the pooled data analysis) and fresh weight of flowers per plant (42.10 g, 26.90 g and 34.50 g respectively during 2018-19, 2019-20 and the pooled data analysis) at 360 days after planting (DAP) interval.