Effect of mulching on growth and flower yield of african marigold (Tegetes Erecta L.)

A field experiment was undertaken at Agricultural School, Lanja during rabi season of 2013–14 to study the effect mulching on growth, flowering and flower yield of African Marigold (Tegetes erecta L.). The treatments involved seven types of mulches viz; no mulch or Control, glyricidia leaves, paddy straw, hay, transparent polythene paper, black polythene paper and pink polythene paper. The results indicated that there was significant effect of mulching on growth, flower size and yield of African Marigold over control. Maximum plant height, number of branches per plant, flower diameter, flower stalk length, number of flowers per plant and flower yield (per plant and per yield) were recorded due to the mulching with black polythene, followed by pink and transparent polythene papers. The mulching with glyricidia leaves, paddy straw and hay were less effective than polythene mulch but superior over control.