Assessment of Nitrogen fertigation and plant spacing in Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat.) cv. Ratlam selection.

Abstract

The investigations entitled “Studies on plant spacing and fertigation schedule for loose flower production of chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat.)” was carried out at Research Farm, Department of Floriculture and Landscaping and Soil and Water Engineering, PAU, Ludhiana during the year 2021-22 with the aim to standardize fertigation level and plant spacing for quality loose flower production. Four different fertigation levels of N@ (60kg/ha, 80kg/ha, 100kg/ha and 120kg/ha) were applied chrysanthemum varietiy namely ‘Ratlam Selection’ through drip irrigation along with three different spacings i.e., 40×30 cm, 40×40 cm and 40×60 cm. The statistical used was Split Plot Design (SPD) and trial was replicated thrice.The data on growth, flowering and yield parameters were recorded and statistically analysed. The data on growth, floral attributes, plant spread (46.70), number of branches (7.80) least days to first flower bud initiation (82.92 days), flower weight (3.22 gm) and highest chlorophyll content (58.57 spad value) was recorded with the application of N@ 120 kg/ha− 1 with planting distance of 40×60 cm and the maximum flower diameter (7.71 cm) and flowers/plant (138.67) was recorded higher with the application of N@ 100 kg/ha− 1 with planting distance of 40×60 cm.. Yield attributes such as flowers weight per unit area (m2), number of flowers per unit area (m2), were recorded best with treatment N@ 100kg/ha with plant spacing 40×60 cm. Based on the study it can be concluded that fertigation level N@ 100kg/ha was found to be the most suitable for quality production of loose flowers of chrysanthemum with spacing 40×30 cm.