Effect of Different Bio-fertilizers and Farm Yard Manure on Flowering Attributes of Dahlia (Dahlia variabilis L.) cv. Kenya

The present investigation was carried out at Centre of Agricultural Education Research Farm, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh to study the comparative effect of different bio-fertilizers and farm yard manure on the flowering attributes of Dahlia (Dahlia variabilis L.) cv. Kenya. The experiment was laid out in completely randomized block design (CRBD) with three replications and twelve treatments. Comparative performance was studied for eight quantitative traits viz. days taken to flower bud appearance, flower bud diameter (mm), days taken to flower anthesis, average weight of fresh flower per plant (g), flower diameter (cm), number of flowers per plant, flowering duration (days), days taken to colour break. In the present investigation the influence of FYM and three biofertilizers viz. Azotobacter chroococcum, Potassium Mobilizing Biofertilizer (K.M.B) and Phosphate Solubilizing Biofertilizer (P.S.B) and their combination on the field of dahlia (Dahlia variabilis L.) cv. Kenya. Among the treatments, T11 (FYM @ 1.5 kg/block + Azotobacter chroococcum @ 2.8 mL/block + K.M.B @ 1.8 mL/block + (P.S.B) @ 3.6 mL/block) recorded a significant effect on the flowering attributes, followed by T12 (FYM @ 1 kg/block + Azotobacter chroococcum @ 2.8 mL/block + K.M.B @ 1.8 mL/block + P.S.B @ 3.6 mL/block).