Effect of land configuration and nutrient management on post harvest parameters of chrysanthemum var. Thai Chen Queen flowers

The present experiment was laid out in randomised block design with factorial concept having twelve treatment combinations comprising first factor with four levels of land configuration methods viz., L₁-ridge and furrow (45 cm × 30 cm), L₂-raised bed (45 cm × 30 cm), L₃-flat bed (45 cm × 30 cm) and L₄-flat bed (30 cm × 30 cm) while the second factor consisted of three levels of fertilizer viz., N₁-100% fertilizer dose (150:75:100 kg NPK/ha), N₂-90% FD (135:67.5:90 kg NPK/ha) and N₃-80% FD (20:60:80 kg NPK/ha) replicated thrice. The pooled data of two years showed maximum change in increase of fresh weight of flower stem (15.12 and 4.98 g) and water uptake (58.43 and 17.20 ml) was recorded on raised bed (L₂) on 3rd and 5^th day, respectively. Whereas in case of vase life, same number of days (5.56) were recorded in plants grown on raised bed (L₂) as well as in ridge furrow (L₁) method of planting. Regarding nutrient management, maximum increase of change in fresh weight of flower stems (15.39 and 5.13 g) and water uptake (58.13 and 17.68 ml) were recorded with 100% FD (N₁ 150:75:100 kg NPK/ha) on 3^rd and 5^th day, respectively. The significantly maximum vase life (5.79) was also recorded with the application of 100% FD (N₁-150:75:100 kg NPK/ha). The interaction effect of land configuration and nutrient management was found non significant for different parameters viz., change in fresh weight of flower stem, water uptake and vase life in chrysanthemum var. Thai Chen Queen.