INTERACTIVE EFFECT OF DIFFERENT SUBSTRATE COMPOSITION AND FERTILIZER SOURCES ON GROWTH AND FLOWERING OF ROSE GROWN UNDER PROTECTED CONDITIONS

Name : Narayan Singh Id. No. : 35349 Year of Admission : August, 2009 Degree : Ph.D. Major : Horticulture (Floriculture & Landscaping) Minor : Genetics and Plant Breeding Thesis title : “Interactive effect of different substrate compositions and fertilizer sources on growth and flowering of rose grown under protected conditions” Advisor : Dr. Santosh Kumar The present investigation was carried out at the Agroforestry Research Centre, Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, District Udham Singh Nagar (Uttarakhand) during September, 2009 to April, 2011 to find out suitable growing substrates and optimum fertilization programme for quality flower production of rose grown under protected conditions. For the experiment four growing medium viz., soil + vermicompost + sand (G1), soil + vermicompost + cocopeat (G2), soil + vermicompost + sawdust (G3) and soil + vermicompost + rice husk (G4) mixed in the ratio of 1:1:1 (v/v) and three fertilizers sources viz., F1 (150 ppm of N and 200 ppm of K through water soluble fertilizers), F2 (150 ppm of N and 200 ppm of K through commercial straight fertilizers) and F3 (Biofertilizers (VAM +Azospirillum + Phosphate solubilizing microorganisms) + F1) were used. Total numbers of treatments were twelve with three replication of each treatment. Experimental design was CRD two Factorial with all factorial combination of four growing media and three fertilizers combination. Among twelve treatment combinations, treatment T9 consisting of soil + vermicompost + sawdust (1:1:1 v/v) and biofertilizers +water soluble fertilizers (G3F3) found best treatment for most of the parameters viz., maximum plant height, bud length, leaf area, flower size, vase life of flowers, earliness for flower bud appearance and bud appearance to harvesting. Similarly, maximum flower yield per square meter per flush, flower yield per square meter per year and also, maximum ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ grade flowers were recorded in same treatment i.e. T9. Treatment T1 containing soil + vermicompost + sand and water soluble fertilizers (G1F1) was found inferior in almost all aspects of the vegetative as well as floral attributes during present experiment. (Santosh Kumar) (Narayan Singh) Advisor Author