Vol. 11, Special Issue 6 (2022)

Author(s):
Anuradha A Watane, Sudhir R Dalal, Ashvini Gaidhani and Nitin S Gupta

Abstract:
A field investigation entitled "Studies on influence of plant density and calcium nitrate spray on growth, flowering and yield of China aster" was carried out during the years 2019-20 and 2020-21 at Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola with the objectives to study the effect of plant density and calcium nitrate spray on yield of China aster cv. Phule Ganesh White and to find out the suitable plant density and dose of calcium nitrate for quality production of China aster. The result of the present investigation indicated that, among the plant density treatment, significantly superior result in respect of plant height, days for emergence of first flower bud, days required for full opening of flower from bud initiation, days for 50% flowering, days to first harvesting, duration of flowering, flower yield plot ^-1 and flower yield ha^-1 were recorded in the 30 x 20 cm plant spacing. However, plant spaced at 30 x 30 cm recorded significantly maximum number of branches per plant, plant spread at 50% flowering and leaf area. Among the calcium nitrate treatment, significantly superior results for maximum plant height, number of branches per plant, plant spread at 50% flowering, leaf area, days for emergence of first flower bud, days required for full opening of flower from bud initiation, days for 50% flowering, days to first harvesting and duration of flowering were recorded in 1.0 percent calcium nitrate spray. Among the interaction effect (between plant density and calcium nitrate) the plant spaced at 30 x 20 cm and sprayed with 1.0 percent calcium nitrate was found better for maximum plant height and yield of China aster.