H. P. Pandey , K. Mishra , S. S. Pant and U. Pun

DOI

ABSTRACT

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the plant growth and yield of African marigold cv. Calcutta Local through pinching practice and using different level of GA3 in the Abloom Flora Farm of Gunjanagar, Chitwan from March to August, 2013. The experiment was conducted in two factorial randomized complete block design with two pinching levels (pinching and non-pinching practices) and five GA3 levels (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 ppm). Result showed a significant effect of pinching and levels of gibberellic acid on plant growth and flower yield. Pinching also significantly increased the number of branches, plant spread, number of flower per plant, yield per plant (299.33 g) and yield per hectare (12.04 t/ha). Earlier days to flower initiation was observed in non-pinching. Gibberellic acid at 50,100,150 and 200 ppm significantly increased the plant height, number of branches, plant spread and number of flower per plant, flower yield per plant and yield per hectare over control. Earlier days to flower initiation was found with increase in GA3 level. Among all levels, GA3 at 200 ppm was significantly superior due to its maximum flower yield (14.64 t/ha).