Studies on the effect of plant growth regulators on growth, flowering and yield of african marigold (Tagetes Erecta L.) cv. Pusa Narangi Gainda

The present investigation was conducted at Horticulture Research Farm, Department of Horticulture, ChoudharyCharan Singh University, Meerut, during the year 2007–2008.The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design, consisting 9 treatments with control.Two growth regulators namely gibberellic acid (GA3) and cycocel (CCC) were taken. There were four levels of GA3, i.e. 200 ppm, 250ppm, 300ppm and 350 ppm and four levels of cycocel, i.e. 1200ppm, 1600ppm, 2000 ppm and 2400 ppm along with one control (water spray), were taken for both the growth regulators. Gibberellic acid application at 350 ppm was found most effective as it gave highest flower yield per plant, maximum fresh weight per flower and highest number of flowers per plant and earlier flower bud initiation and flowering and also increase number of leaves as well as with maximum height of the plant. Cycocel application at 2400 ppm was found most effective as it gave highest number of leaves per plant and maximum number of main branches per plant. Application of cycocel2000 ppm also beneficial as it gave 28.71 percent more flower yield (i.e. 229.68g/plant) as compared to control (i.e. 178.44g/plant) with increasing number of flowers per plant without affecting initiation of flower bud and commencement of flowering.Thus the present investigation clearly indicate that the application of gibberellic acid at 350 ppm was best treatment in all respect as it enhanced vegetative growth and flower yield along with earlier. Further, cycocel at 2000 ppm was also beneficial as it increased flower yield and reduced vegetative growth without affecting initiation of flower bud and commencement of flowering.