Effect of Different Substrates on Growth Parameters of Zinnia spp.

Abstract

A study was carried out to assess the effectiveness of various substrates in promoting vegetative and reproductive growth of zinnia elegans. The experiment was designed in CRD with three replications and eight treatments: control, peat, coco coir, and conventional substrate (soil + silt + leaf mould, 1:1:1, v/v/v) alone or in varied combinations. The addition of coco coir to peat or peat alone enhanced plant height, leaf area, stem length, and fresh and dry weight of the stem. Plant height and stem length were considerably greater in coco coir-based substrates (P-0.0001 and P-0.0001, respectively). In peat-based and peat + coco coir-based substrates, growth and floral parameters were much higher. The findings demonstrated that coco coir, either alone or in combination with peat, had a beneficial influence on the productivity and quality of speciality cut flower zinnia crops.