Growth, flowering and yield of Heliconia sp cv Local Yellow as influenced by N, P and K fertilizers

A field investigation was carried out to study the effect of inorganic fertilizers on growth, flowering and yield in heliconia (Heliconia sp) cv Local Yellow at Horticultural Research Station, Vijayarai, West Godavari, Andhra Pradesh during 2013–2014. The treatments consisted of different combinations of inorganic fertilizers which were tested in randomized block design with three replications. The results revealed that the treatment combination with 20:20:10 g N:P:K/plant recorded significantly higher plant height (89.91cm), number of leaves (62.40), leaf length (43.83 cm), leaf breadth (14.50 cm), number of shoots per clump (13.64) and minimum time required for reproductive phase (177.00 days). However higher number of bracts (14.23), spikes (3.00), flowers (57.53/m²) and vase life (11.04 days) were recorded in plants which were nourished with 20:20:20 g N:P:K/plant.