Effect of zinc as a foliar spray on growth and flower production of Marigold (Tagetes erecta L.)

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to checked, the response of Marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) to foliar spray of zinc on growth and flower production at the Ornamental Horticulture Nursery, Department of Horticulture, The University of Agriculture Peshawar during 2014. The experiment was laid out at Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with one factor repeated three times. In this study Marigold plants were sprayed with five level of zinc sulphate (0, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7 and 0.9 %). Result revealed that most of the traits were significantly affected by zinc while leaf area showed non-significant differences. Maximum plant height (25.84 cm), stem diameter (0.75 cm), number of flower plant -1 (14.66), fresh flower weight (4.67 gm), number of branches plant -1 (23.22) and number of leaves branches -1 (40.36) were recorded at 0.5% Zinc sulphate application. So, it is concluded that 0.5% Zinc should be spray good for quality flower production of Marigold flowers, hence recommended for the farmers of the agro-climatic condition of Peshawar.