Assessment of nitrogen fertigation and plant spacing in chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat.) cv. Ratlam selection

Abstract

The investigations entitled “Studies on plant spacing and fertigation schedule for loose �ower production of chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat.)” was carried out at Research Farm, Department of Floriculture and Landscaping and Soil and Water Engineering, PAU, Ludhiana during the year 2021-22 with the aim to standardize fertigation level and plant spacing for quality loose �ower production. Four different fertigation levels of N@ (60kg/ha, 80kg/ha, 100kg/ha and 120kg/ha) were applied chrysanthemum varietiy namely ‘Ratlam Selection’ through drip irrigation along with three different spacings i.e., 40×30 cm, 40×40 cm and 40×60 cm. The statistical used was Split Plot Design (SPD) and trial was replicated thrice.The data on growth, �owering and yield parameters were recorded and statistically analysed. The data on growth, �oral attributes, plant spread (46.70), number of branches (7.80) least days to �rst �ower bud initiation (82.92 days), �ower weight (3.22 gm) and highest chlorophyll content (58.57 spad value) was recorded with the application of N@ 120 kg/ha − 1 with planting distance of 40×60 cm and the maximum �ower diameter (7.71 cm) and �owers/plant (138.67) was recorded higher with the application of N@ 100 kg/ha − 1 with planting distance of 40×60 cm.. Yield attributes such as �owers weight per unit area (m 2 ), number of �owers per unit area (m 2 ), were recorded best with treatment N@ 100kg/ha with plant spacing 40×60 cm. Based on the study it can be concluded that fertigation level N@ 100kg/ha was found to be the most suitable for quality production of loose �owers of chrysanthemum with spacing 40×30 cm.