The Effect of Growth Retardants on Growth, Flowering and Yield of African Marigold (Tagetes Erecta L.)

Abstract

Cycocel and maleic hydrazide at 0, 500 and 1000 ppm were applied to study its effects on growth, floral characters, yield and seed parameters. Various growth parameters i. e. number of branches, fresh and dry weight of plant were significantly increased when the plants were sprayed with 500 ppm of cycocel or maleic hydrazide. Plant height and internodal length decreased with the increasing concentrations of cycocel and maleic hydrazide. Interactions were significant in all the growth parameters except internodal length. It was interesting to note the detrimental effects of these chemicals when applied in combination at higher concentrations. Maximum number of buds per plant were observed when the plants were sprayed separately with cycocel 1000 ppm and MH 500 ppm. Maleic hydrazide at 500 ppm significantly affected days to flowering and duration of flowering, whereas, the results were non-significant with cycocel application. The combined application of MH and CCC significantly favoured days to flowering and duration of flowering. Cycocel at 1000 ppm along with MH at 500 ppm had significantly higher fresh and dry weight, number of flowers, flower yield per plant and flower yield per hectare.