Growth, yield and quality of chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat.) Cv. Raja as influenced by integrated nutrient management*

The treatment receiving Azospirillum, Phosphate Solubilising Bacteria (PSB), vermicompost and 50 per cent recommended NPK (T8) recorded the highest plant height, number of branches, plant spread, dry matter accumulation and yield attributes such as number of flower plant-1 and flower yield. The same treatment (T8) registered significantly higher quality parameters such as stalk length, flower diameter, shelf life of garland flowers. The economics analysis clearly indicated that net returns per hectare and B:C ratio was the highest in the plots treated with Azospirillum, PSB, vermicompost and 50 % recommended NPK (T8) (` 3,28,504 and 6.04 respectively) and these findings can be used in making chrysanthemum production more profitable. The recommended Dose of Fertilizer (R.D.F.) was 150:100:100 kg N: P2O5:K2O per hectare.