Integrated Nutrient Management in Marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) cv. Pusa Narangi Gainda

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An investigation was carried out to study the combined effect of organic fertilizers and bio-fertilizers on the vegetative and flowering characters of marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) cv. PusaNarangiGaindaat the horticultural instructional farm, NEHU, Tura campus, Chasingre, Meghalaya during the year 2017-18. The experiment was conducted in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications and twelve treatment combinations comprising of FYM, vermicompost and biofertilizers viz. Azotobacter and Azospirillum. All the treatment combinations showed significant response in vegetative, flowering and yield characters during entire investigation. The treatment combinations Azospirillum + Azotobacter + vermicompost + 50% RDF showed maximum plant height (106.25cm), primary and secondary branches (16.83 and 22.00), leaf area (62.11 cm2) and plant spread (53.56 cm E-W and 46.03 cm N-S) per plant,number of flowers per plant (30.50), flower yield per plant (326.05 g), flower yield (293.44 q/ha) and seed yield (14.67 kg/ha), whilst highestleaf length and breadth (15.91 cm and 3.95 cm), increased flower diameter (60.25 mm), enhanced flower bud initiation (53.67 days) and prolonged duration of flowering (103.33 days)was associated with Azospirillum + Azotobacter + FYM + 50% RDF. Maximum carotenoid content in fresh petals (11.65 mg/100 g fresh petals) and dry petals (11.37 mg/100 g dry petals) was associated with treatment Azospirillum + Azotobacter + vermicompost + 50% RDF), however, chlorophyll B (61.92 mg/g leaves) content was recorded to be highest in the treatment Azospirillum + Azotobacter + FYM + 50% RDF).