Optimizing Growth, Yield and Quality Parameters of Celosia plumosa var. Century Pink (Cockscomb) through Biostimulants and Plant Growth Regulators

Abstract

The study was conducted during the year 2022–2023 at Kittur Rani Channamma College of Horticulture, Arabhavi, UHS, Bagalkot, Karnataka, India. The research was conducted in a year of span with the objective to study the effect of various chemicals on plant characteristics.  The present findings are helpful for comparative studies on soil and foliar application of biostimulants and also, the mode of action of different biostimulants can be analyzed. The plants treated with Biovita (1%)+Humic acid (1%) in Celosia plumosa var. Century Pink were found to be superior in all growth, yield, and quality parameters. The treatment that received the combination of biostimulants Biovita (1%) and Humic acid (1%) demonstrated the highest plant height (40.00 cm), number of branches (13), leaf length (5.96 cm), leaf breadth (3.06 cm), leaf area (34.41 cm²), leaf area index (0.025), number of leaves (41.33), and plant spread in both N-S and E-W directions (22.86 and 24.70 cm, respectively) among the growth regulators, biostimulants, and their combination treatments. Within the various treatments of growth regulators and biostimulants, Celosia plumosa var. Century Pink showed notable differences in growth, blooming, yield, and quality characteristics. In addition to improving growth parameters, the current study demonstrated that using growth regulators and biostimulants to boost crop yields is an environmentally friendly method that can lessen the negative effects of chemical fertilizers on the environment by boosting nutrient uptake, enhancing soil health, and enhancing fertilizer management techniques.