Response of growth and yield parameters of African marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) to organic and inorganic fertilizers

The present investigation was carried out to study the response of African marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) cultivars to organic and inorganic fertilizers. The different treatment combinations were 100% FYM, 100% Castor Cake, 100% Neem Cake, 100% inorganic (NPK @ 100:60:60 Kg/ha), 40% organic + 60% inorganic, 60% organic + 40% inorganic and no fertilizer (Control). For all the varieties, the growth characters such as plant height, plant spread, and number of branches per plant showed positive response with treatment of 60% organic + 40% inorganic over all other treatments. The 100% inorganic was significantly superior to the 100% organic and the control. However, the 100% organic was also significantly superior to the control. Comparatively less growth was produced at 100% Castor Cake and 100% Neem Cake than that observed with 100% FYM. The commencement of flowering was delayed with application of organic fertilizers and control in comparison with inorganic fertilizers. The days to 1st flowering was significantly reduced with 60% organic + 40% inorganic fertilizer in all the cultivars as comparison with other all treatment combinations. All the cultivars were significantly superior under 60% organic + 40% inorganic treatment compared to other treatment combinations for number of flowers per plant, flower diameter, flower yield per plant and flower yield per hectare. The beneficial effects of fertilizer dose 40% organic + 60% inorganic in respect of vegetative characters were observed only in case of plant spread. It can be concluded from the present investigation that for higher quantity and quality production of marigold flowers, the application of 60% organic + 40% inorganic was most effective.