Effect of mulching on growth and flowering of gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii Bolus) cv. Red Gem under Assam Condition

A field experiment was carried out in the Experimental Farm, Department of Horticulture, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat during 2010–11 and 2011–12 in order to study the effect of mulching on growth and flowering of gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii Bolus) cv. Red Gem under Assam condition. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design (RBD) with seven treatments (viz. black polyethylene mulch, paddy straw, dried leaves, dried banana leaves, water hyacinth, rice husk and control without mulch) replicated thrice. The results showed that black polyethylene mulch produced tallest plant with maximum number of leaves per plant and number of suckers per clump. Same treatment showed earlier flower bud visibility, maximum flower size, flowers per clump and highest length of flower stalk. From the results of this experiment, it can be concluded that black polyethylene much triggers plant growth and development (vegetative growth) and also encourages flower production both quantitatively or qualitatively in gerbera plant.