Optimization of Spacing, doses of Vermi-compost and Foliar Application of Salicylic Acid on Growth, Flowering and Soil Health of Chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflora Tzvelev) cv. “Guldasta”

A field experiment was conducted during the year 2018–2019 to study the effect of spacing (50×50, 50×60 and 50×75), dose of vermi-compost (0, 5.0 and 10.0 ton/ha) and foliar application of salicylic acid (0, 100 and 200 ppm) on the growth, flowering and soil health of chrysanthemum. The experiment was laid out in a factorial randomized block design with twenty seven treatments and three replications. Significant improvement in growth and flowering characters was recorded with closer spacing (50×50 cm) except plant spread, number of flowers/plant, weight of individual flower, diameter of flower, shelf life and stalk length while, plants grown at wider spacing had maximum available NPK in post harvested soil. Gradual increases doses of vermicompost for 0 to 10.0 ton/ha significantly improved plant growth, flowering and yield attributing traits alongwith higher availability of NPK in post harvested soil. Among the foliar spray of salicylic acid, salicylic acid (100 ppm) significantly produced good plant growth and flower yield except induced early flowering and 50% flowering however, control showed maximum availability of NPK in post-harvested soil. Among the combined combinations, maximum flower yield/plant was recorded with treatment combination T₂₆ (S₃+VC₂+SA₁) and treatment combination T₈ (S₁+VC₂+SA₁) resulted in maximum flower yield/plot and flower yield/ha during course of study.