Effect of Nutrient Solution Concentration on Yield and Quality of Gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii bolus ex hooker f.) under Polyhouse in Southern Hills (Shevaroy)

Gerbera is used as cut flower in many countries and has gained popularity as an ornamental flower and is in great demand in the floral industry. A polyhouse experiment was conducted at Horticultural Research Station, Yercaud during 2010–11 to assess the fertigation levels on cut Gerbera cv. Palm Beach along with micro nutrients and humic acid as foliar spray under in Shevaroy hills. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with two replications. The treatments consisted of three level of fertigation regimes (125, 100 and 75% of recommended dose of fertilizer), foliar spray of micronutrient mixture (0.004%) and humic acid (0.2%). The results revealed that the morphological parameters namely, plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, plant spread, suckers number and plant density had progressive increase at different stages of plant growth at 100% RDF + 0.004% MN Mixture + 0.2% humic acid (T11) while, the treatment T12 (75% RDF + 0.004% MN mixture + 0.2% humic acid) had induced the first flowering. The treatment T11 (100% RDF + 0.004% MN mixture + 0.2% humic acid) recorded the highest flower yield, longest flower stalk length, flower stalk girth and largest flower diameter. The outcome of the treatment may recommended for commercial cultivation of cut gerbera.