Standardization of growing medium for cut chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflora Tzvelev) cv. Amalfi under protected conditions

A field experiment was conducted to find out the effect of growing media on growth and yield of cut chrysanthemum variety Amalfi. The experiment consists of 9 treatments comprising of various growing media. Observations were recorded on growth and flowering parameters at peak vegetative, bud appearance and peak flowering stage. The results revealed that growing media comprised of soil + FYM + cocopeat + perlile + vermicompost + microbial consortia (T₉) recorded the highest plant height (46.09 cm, 78.70 cm and 98.33), number of leaves (26.73, 38.82 and 39.72), total leaf area (1672.59 cm², 2799.29 cm² and 2899.573 cm²), earlier flower bud emergence (37.20 days) and days to harvest (81.41 days) than control (46.28 days and 104.08 days). This treatment also recorded the highest flower stalk length (95.22 cm), flower stalk girth (3.52 cm), unopened and opened flower bud circumference (4.15 cm and 8.20 cm), root length (13.43 cm) and flower stalk yield per sq.m (74.57 cut stems).