Effect of spacing and pinching on regulation of flowering in ‘African’ marigold’ (Tegetes erecta linn.) under submontane low hill conditions of Himachal Pradesh

The rainy season marigold crop in low hill areas of HP tends to grow taller with few laterals owing to favorable warm humid conditions following monsoon season, resulting in only marginal profit to the farmers. With a view to increase plants spread and maximize flower production, different spacing and dates of pinching of terminals shoots, were tried in a locally acclaimed variety of ‘African’ marigold, during 2008–09 and 2009–2010. The highest flower yield of 203.00q/ha was obtained with a combination of plant spacing at 45x60cm (S₃) and pinching of terminal shoots on 30^th day after transplanting (P₂). This combination (S₃P₂) which was superior to the flower yields obtained under solo applications i.e. either spacing or pinching was accompanied by better plant growth, larger and higher number of flower per plants and therefore, considered optimum for high flower yield.