Effect of Different Treatment Modules on Seed Yield and Quality in African Marigold (Tagetes erecta L.)

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out at the experimental farm of Department of Seed Science and Technology, Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (HP)-173 230 during 2018 and 2019. The treatment modules comprising different doses of Jeevamrit applied as drench (25ml/m2, 50ml/m2, 75ml/m2 and 100 ml/m2) and as foliar spray (5%, 10%, 15% & 20%) at 15 days interval, alternatively + Brahmastra @ 2.5 % and Neemastra @ 2.5 %  at 7 days interval, alternatively along with RDF, untreated control and an organic module based on Trichoderma viride. The field experiment was conducted in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with 19 treatments replicated thrice. Although, maximum values for number of seeds per capitulum (268.12), seed yield per plant (14.74 g), seed yield per plot (176.90 g), seed yield per hectare (327.59 kg), 1000 seed weight (2.56 g), seed germination (85.13 %), seedling length (12.66 cm), seedling fresh weight (0.55 g), seedling dry weight (7.78 mg), SVI-I (1077.68), SVI-II (662.55) were recorded in M18 (RDF (100% NPK) + FYM @ 5 kg/m2) it was found to be statistically at par with the treatment module M16 (Drenching with Jeevamrit @ 100 ml/m2 + Foliar application of Jeevamrit @ 20 % at 15 days interval, alternatively + Neemastra @ 2.5 % and Brahmastra @ 2.5 % at 7 days intervals, alternatively) which had highest speed of germination (33.36).