Effect of foliar application of boron and zinc on growth and flowering characters in African marigold cv. Pusa Narangi Gainda

A field experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of foliar application of boron and zinc on growth and flowering characters in African marigold cv. Pusa Narangi Gainda. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Block Design with three replications. Significant results were observed in all the parameters studied. Among the growth characters, maximum number of primary branches/plant was found with zinc sulphate at 1.0% and 1.5%. Whereas, boric acid at different levels positively influences the other growth characters. Maximum stem diameter and plant spread were found at Boric acid (0.1%). However, maximum leaf dry weight was noticed in boric acid treatment at 0.4%. Among the flowering characters, earliest bud initiation was observed with boric acid at 0.3% and ZnSO₄ (0.25%). Zinc sulphate (1.0%) showed the significantly increased bud diameter, number of petals/flower, fresh and dry weight of flower. However, boric acid at different levels also proved to be significant for traits like early flowering at 0.3% level, increasing number of flowers/plant and bud length at 0.1% level and at 0.4% level it influenced peduncle length greatly.