Effect of spacing and nitrogen levels on growth, flowering and yield parameters of African marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) cv. Dwarf Orange

The present investigation was carried out to study the response of spacing and nitrogen level on growth, flowering and yield parameters on African marigold cv. Dwarf Orange at Horticultural Farm, College of Fisheries, Lembuchera, Tripura during 2011–12. Three levels of spacing viz. 50 × 40 cm, 50 × 30 cm and 40 × 30 cm, four levels of nitrogen doses viz. 0 kg/ha (control), 300 kg/ha, 400 kg/ha and 500 kg/ha were used respectively, for investigation. The experiment was laid out in Factorial Randomized Block Design (FRBD) with three replications. The results revealed significant response in vegetative growth, flowering and yield characters with a spacing of 40 × 30 cm and nitrogen doses with 400 kg/ha. Maximum number of primary branches per plant, plant height, number of leaves per plant, increased flower stalk length, maximum flower diameter, number of flowers per plant, weight of single flower and yield was associated with spacing 40 × 30 cm except number of secondary branches per plant and days taken for 50 per cent flowering. Nitrogen dose at 400 kg/ha showed highest number of primary and secondary branches, number of leaves per plant, flower diameter, number of flowers per plant, weight of single flower and yield except plant height and flower stalk length.