Effect of spacing and crop duration on growth and flowering in tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa Linn.) cv. double

Field experiments were conducted at Junagadh during 2002–05 to study the response of spacing (45 x 45, 45 x 30, 45 x 15, 30 x 30 and 30 x 15 cm) and crop duration (plant crop, first ratoon and second ratoon) on growth, cut flower yield and bulb production In tuberose (Pollanthes tuberosa Linn.). The results revealed that wider spacing of 45 x 45 cm significantly Improved growth (plant height, number of leaves, bulbs and bulblets/clump), spike characters (days to spike emergence, number of spikes per clump, length and diameter of spike) and floral attributes (days to flower opening, number of florets/spike and diameter of open flower and length of rachis) over closer spacings (45 x 15 and 30 x 15 cm). A planting distance of 30 x 30 cm realized the highest cutflower yield whereas, a closer spacing of 30 x 15 cm recorded the highest bulb production.