Effect of Seaweed Extracts on Flowering, Quality and Economics of China Aster cv. Arka Archana Under Prayagraj Agro Climatic Conditions

The present study titled “Effect of Seaweed Extracts on Flowering, Quality, and Economics of China aster cv. Arka Archana under Prayagraj agro climatic conditions” was conducted at the Department of Horticulture, Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology And Sciences, Prayagraj during the rabi season of 2022-2023. The experiment followed a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with 13 treatments, each replicated three times. The treatments included different concentrations (2ML/L and 4ML/ L) of Ascophyllum nodosum and Durvillaea potatorum seaweed extracts, applied at 5, 10, and 15-day intervals, along with a control group. Among the treatments, it was observed that treatment T9 (2ML/L Ascophyllum nodosum applied at 15 days interval) resulted in the shortest duration for the appearance of flower buds (76.22 days) and the earliest first flower opening (97.33 days), number of buds per plant (90.22), number of flowers per plant (89.61), flower weight (4.10 g), and flower diameter (6.39 cm) in terms of floral quality. Furthermore, this treatment exhibited the maximum number of days for vase life (10.33 days) and also in terms of economics, gross returns (693900 Rs./ha), net returns (547334 Rs./ha) and benefit : cost ratio (4.73). However, the control group (water spray) showed the lowest values for all the parameters measured. In conclusion, the results of the study suggest that applying Ascophyllum nodosum seaweed extract at a concentration of 2ML/L and 15 days interval through foliar applications could be a promising approach to improve the yield of China aster cultivation.