Efficacy of biofertilizers on growth, flowering and yield of African marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) cv. Pusa Narangi Gainda under mid hill conditions of Garhwal Himalayas

A field experiment was conducted to study the influence of biofertilizers, organic manures and chemical fertilizers on growth, flowering and yield of African marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) cv. Pusa Narangi Gainda. Treatment comprised of biofertilizers namely azotobacter and PSB, organic manures viz. FYM and vermicompost, inorganic fertilizers (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium). Treatment combination comprising of Azotobacter + PSB + Vermicompost was observed to exhibit significant effect on plant height (98.32 cm), plant spread (53.32 cm), number of primary branches (18.57), secondary branches (60.80), number of leaves (443.42), leaf area (81.35 cm²), fresh weight of 30 leaves (34.90 g), dry weight of 30 leaves (6.64 g). Floral characters like number of flowers per plant (56.94), diameter of flower (8.00 cm), stalk length (7.75 cm) and vase life (9.80 days) was also found maximum in Azotobacter + PSB + Vermicompost. Flowering duration (81.18 days) and total yield of flowers per plant (695.24 g) were also found maximum in treatment having Azotobacter+PSB+Vermicompost.