Effect of irrigation levels and mulching on growth and flower production in african marigold (Tagetes erecta L.)

The present investigation studies the effect of irrigation levels and mulching on growth and flower production in African marigold variety Punjab Gainda No. 1. There were 15 treatments comprising of five levels of irrigation as main plot (60%, 70%, 80%, 90% and 100% ET _c) and three kinds of mulches as sub plot (No mulch (Control), Paddy straw mulch and Silver-black mulch) were used. Growth parameters like plant height, plant spread, number of branches, stem diameter, size of flower were recorded higher with treatment combination 1.0 ET_c with Silver-black polythene mulch which was statistically at par with treatment combination 0.9 ET_c with Silver-black polythene mulch and 1.0 ET_c with paddy straw mulch. Similarly, yield attributes i.e number of flowers per plant and flower weight per plant were recorded maximum with treatment combination 1.0 ET_c with Silver-black polythene mulch which was statistically at par with treatment combination 0.9 ET_c with Silver-black polythene mulch. WUE was maximum in treatment combination 0.6 ET_c with Silver-black polythene mulch.