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Dhiraj Kumar ¹, B. P. Singh ², Viveka Nand Singh ³

Affiliations
1 C.A. Section, Indian School of Mines University, Dhanbad- 826004, Jharkhand, IN
2 Department of Horticulture, N.D. University of Agriculture and Technology, Narendra Nagar (Kumarganj), Faizabad-224 229, IN
3 Department of Vegetable Science, NDUAT, Faizabad, IN

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out to study the effect of integrated nutrient management on growth, flowering behaviour and yield of marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) at the main experiment station, Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Narendra Nagar (Kumarganj), Faizabad, during 2004 and 2005 in Randomized Block Design. There were thirteen treatments involving two biofertilizers, viz., Azotobacter and phosphorus solubilizing bacteria (PSB) and two levels of nitrogen and phosphorus, viz., (50% and 100%), farm yard manure (FYM) and control (recommended dose of NPK., i.e., 200:100:100 kg/ha). One month old seedlings were transplanted at a spacing of 40 x 30 cm. Results revealed that combined application of Azotobacter and PSB with FYM and 50% recommended dose of nitrogen and phosphorus significantly improved growth, flowering behavior and yield during both years (2004 and 2005). Application of Azotobacter + PSB + FYM @ 30 ha^-1 + nitrogen @ 100 ha^-1 and phosphorus @ 50 kg/ha was found to be best for growth, flowering behaviour and yield of cv. African Giant Double Orange.

Keywords

Integrated Nutrient Management, Biofertilizers, Tagetes erecta L.

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Viveka Nand Singh ¹, B. K. Banerji ¹, A. K. Dwivedi ¹, A. K. Verma ¹

Affiliations
1 Floriculture Section, National Botanical Research Institute, Rana Pratap Marg, Lucknow-226 001, IN

Abstract

Seeds of African marigold cv. 'Pusa Narangi Gainda' were irradiated with 0, 100, 200, 300 and 400 Grays of gamma rays to induce mutation. Seeds were sown just after irradiation and 30-day old seedlings were transplanted into beds. Reduction in survival percentage, plant height, number of branches, leaf number, leaf size, plant-spread, stem diameter, increased foliage and floral abnormalities were observed upon irradiation and with increase in dose of gamma rays. LD50 was determined on survival basis. Leaf abnormality manifested itself as leathery texture of leaf, enhanced and irregular leaf thickness, asymmetric development of pinnate leaflets, reduction in pinnae number, chlorophyll variegation, pale and deep green leaves, narrow leaves and small leaves. Percentage of abnormal leaves and plants increased with increase in dose of gamma rays. Fasciation of stem was a common abnormality observed in all the treatments. Days to bud initiation, earliness in colour-appearance and days to full bloom were all significantly delayed upon exposure to gamma rays. Flower-head size, height and weight were highest at the lowest dose. Number of ray florets and size (length and width) decreased with increasing radiation dose. Floral abnormalities and % of plants with abnormal flower-heads increased with increasing dose of gamma irradiation. Floral abnormality included fasciation of flower-head and asymmetric development of ray florets. Stimulating effect of gamma irradiation was observed at 100 Grays where almost all the characters studied showed positive correlation, including growth and yield attributes. It is concluded that exposure to 100 Grays of gamma rays in African marigold cv. Pusa Narangi Gainda results in higher yield and marketable bloom.

Keywords

Tagetes erecta, African Marigold, Pusa Narangi Gainda, Gamma Irradiation Induced Mutation.

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