Effect of Seaweed Extract on Growth and Flowering of Tuberose (Agave amica) cv. Prajwal in the Plains of West Bengal, India

Abstract

Tuberose (Agave amica), formerly known as Polianthes tuberosa, is an important cut and loose flower crop widely grown in West Bengal and throughout India. The use of biostimulants such as microbial inoculants, humic and fulvic acids, amino acids, and seaweed extracts enhances nutrient uptake and improves plant growth and productivity. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of seaweed extract as a foliar biostimulant on the growth, flowering, yield, and quality parameters of tuberose grown under the agro-climatic conditions of the plains of West Bengal. The experiment was conducted at the Horticultural Research Station, Mondouri, under Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Mohanpur, Nadia, West Bengal, from April 2022 to March 2023. The study followed a randomized block design with 13 treatments and three replications. The treatments included foliar application of seaweed extract (Caulerpa racemosa) at concentrations of 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, 2%, 2.5%, and 3% at 45 days after planting (DAP), and the same concentrations applied twice at 45 and 60 DAP. A tap water spray served as the control. Results revealed that application of 1.5% seaweed extract at 45 DAP followed by another spray 15 days later (Treatment 10) produced the highest plant height, total chlorophyll content, spike length and weight, field and vase life of spikes, number of florets per spike, and floret diameter. In contrast, application of 2% seaweed extract at the same intervals (Treatment 11) resulted in the maximum number of leaves per plant, leaf area, spikes per plant, floret length, and weight of 10 florets. Thus, it can be concluded that two foliar sprays of seaweed extract (Caulerpa racemosa) at 1.5% concentration applied at 45 days after planting and repeated after 15 days are the most effective for improving vegetative growth and flowering traits in tuberose cv. Prajwal.