Effect of soilless growing media compositions on quality flower production of potted Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium)

Abstract

The suitability of soilless growing media compositions was evaluated for quality flower production of potted Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat cultivar Anmol at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana during 2014-16. The rotted cuttings were grown in six different potted media compositions – control: garden soil + (farmyard manure (FYM) 2: 1), cocopeat + FYM (1: 1), cocopeat + FYM (2: 1), vermiculite + FYM (1: 1), vermiculite + FYM (2: 1) and cocopeat + vermiculite + FYM (1: 1: 1). The results revealed that the cocopeat + FYM (2:1) exhibited maximum plant height, number of leaves and root suckers per plant whereas; vermiculite + FYM (2:1) gave highest flower diameter and duration of flowering. The days to bud appearance, colour break stage and full bloom were delayed in cocopeat based media. However, significant vegetative growth with better flowering time and quality was obtained in cocopeat + vermiculite t + FYM (1:1:1). Thus for sustained quality flower production of potted Chrysanthemum cv. Anmol, cocopeat + vermiculite + FYM (1:1:1) media was ideal with better plant morphological development.