Influence of organics, inorganic and biofertilizers on growth, quality, yield, soil and plant nutrient status of marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) cv. Pusa Narangi Gainda

Abstract

Organics, inorganics, and biofertilizers stimulate the growth, quality, yield, nutrient uptake, efficiency, and apparent nutrient recovery in marigold. A field trial was conducted for two consecutive years 2016/17 and 2017/18 during Fall to assess the influence of nutrients applied on growth, quality, yield, soil, and plant nutrient status of marigold. Azotobacter + vermicompost + 50% RDF responded highest plant height (76.91 cm) and increased phosphorus availability in soil at harvest (42.56 kg ha⁻¹). However, increased number of secondary branches (22.35), leaf area (62.84cm²), E-W plant spread (49.80 cm), flower duration (103.36 days), number of flowers per plant (30.50), flower yield (234.75q ha⁻¹), seed yield (5.87q ha⁻¹), nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium uptake in flower (80.70 kg ha⁻¹, 13.83 kg ha⁻¹, and 73.02 kg ha⁻¹), potassium use efficiency of plant (347.78 kg ha⁻¹), apparent phosphorus and potassium recovery (16.95% and 93.97%) and postharvest available phosphorus of the soil (33.60 kg ha⁻¹) were associated with Azospirillum + Azotobacter + vermicompost + 50% RDF. Azospirillum + Azotobacter + FYM + 50% RDF had shown maximum flower diameter (60.25 mm), carotenoid content in dry petals (11.37mg100g⁻¹). Moreover, potassium uptake in stem (5.64 kg ha⁻¹), nitrogen uptake efficiency (0.78%), phosphorus uptake efficiency (0.26%), nitrogen use efficiency (234.77 kg ha⁻¹), phosphorus use efficiency (440.20 kg ha⁻¹) and apparent nitrogen recovery (51.12%) was recorded to be highest in the treatment Azospirillum + Azotobacter + 50% RD N and P + 100% RD K. The study shows the great potential of organics and biofertilizers that could be used for integrated nutrient management in marigold.

Keywords:

• apparent nutrient recovery
• biofertilizer
• growth
• quality
• marigold
• nutrient uptake
• nutrient use efficiency
• organic
• residual nutrient
• yield

Acknowledgements

The authors expressed their appreciation to all staff members of the Department of Horticulture, North Eastern Hill University, Tura, Meghalaya for their help and guidance during conduct the present work.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.