Effect of growth retardants on flowering and yield of African marigold ( Tagetes erecta L.) cv. 'DOUBLE ORANGE' under South Gujarat conditions

The vigorous growth of African marigold cv. ‘DOUBLE ORANGE’ plant in terms of plant height was recorded maximum when plant sprayed at 35 days after transplanting in treatment (S 3 ) while, number of branches and plant spread were noted maximum under treatment S 1 i.e. spraying at 15 days after transplanting. Same treatment (S 1 ) induced early flowering and took minimum days for 50 per cent flowering. The plants gave the highest flower diameter, flower weight, more longevity and vase life of flower in treatment (S 1 ). The yield of flowers was also noted maximum in treatment (S 1 ). The plant height was noticed highest in the plants treated with PBZ 50 mg l -1 treatment (C 5 ) while, the number of branches per plant and plant spread were recorded maximum under plants receiving CCC 750 mg l -1 treatment (C 2 ). Consequently these plants produced early flowers and took minimum days for 50 per cent flowering with maximum flower diameter, flower weight, flower longevity as well as vase life of flower. The yield of flowers was also produced maximum in these plants. See end of the article for authors’ affiliations Correspondence to :