2024, Vol. 7, Issue 7, Part D

author(s)
Alen K Raj, Dr. Vijay Bahadur and Annjoe V Joseph

abstract
The present investigation entitled Growth and flowering of Gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii) as affected by different concentrations of micronutrients and humic acid under naturally ventilated polyhouse conditions of Prayagraj was carried out during November 2023 to March 2024 in Naturally Ventilated Polyhouse, Department of Horticulture, Naini Agricultural Institute, SHUATS, Prayagraj. The experiment was conducted in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with eleven treatment combinations, with the application of micronutrients; FeSO₄, MgSO₄, Boron and their combinations and humic acid at different levels, which was replicated thrice. It was concluded that the application of micronutrients treatments rendered their significant effect on almost all the growth, flowering and yield characters of gerbera. The treatment T₁₀ i.e., MgSO₄ + Boron + FeSO₄ @ 0.6% was found superior in terms of plant height (23.87cm), number of leaves (15.08 cm), Leaf area (142.39 cm), plant spread (37.68 cm), days taken for first flower bud initiation (78.41 days), minimum days taken to first harvest (116.91 days), flower diameter (10.21 cm), stalk length (53.75 cm), stalk diameter (4.37 mm), number of flowers per plant (9.26) Flower yield per m2 (33.74) and Flower yield per 250 m2 (28221.8). Among the different treatments the highest gross return (282,218 Rs/250 m²), Net return (2,13,701 Rs/250 m²), benefit cost ratio (2.46) was obtained under the use of MgSO₄ + Boron + FeSO₄ @ 0.6%.