Effect of pinching on yield and economics in different varieties of marigold (Tagetes spp)

The effect of pinching on yield and economics in different varieties of marigold (Tagetes spp)’ was assessed at Research farm of Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Dapoli, Dist. Ratnagiri, (Maharashtra state) during Rabi season of the year 2017-18. The trial was laid out in the factorial randomized block design with three replications. The factors were three different varieties of marigold viz; Pusa Basanti Gainda, Pusa Arpita and Yellow 09 and four pinching treatments (Control-No pinching, Pinching after 3 weeks of transplanting, Pinching after 5 weeks of transplanting and Double pinching -Pinching after 3 and 5 weeks of transplanting)were adopted as second factor. The significantly maximum yield (8.561 kg/plot and 176.16 q/ha) was in V3P4 i.e. double pinching in Yellow 09 with the highest net returns of Rs. 521256.9/ha with cost benefit ratio of 1.97.