Response of Organic Manure and Inorganic Fertilizer on Growth and Bulb Production in Tulip (Tulipa Gesneriana Linn.)

Bulbs of tulip (Tulipa gesneriana Linn.) cv. Apeldoorn (8–9 cm circumference) were planted under open field conditions in Kashmir Valley to study the impact of integrated nutrient management on growth and bulb production. Experimental treatments comprising of four levels each of organic (sheep) manure (0, 20, 40 and 60 t/ha) and inorganic fertilizers (0:0:0 control, 50:20:20, 75:30:30 and 100:40:40 kg/ha of NPK, respectively). The results revealed that maximum values in terms of plant height (36.15 cm), stem thickness (6.83 mm), wrapper leaf area (133.16 cm2), bulb number/m2 (52.75) and their weight (1.14 kg/m2) were recorded with highest level of 60 t/ha organic manure tested in the study. As regards to inorganic fertilizers, NPK in the ratio of 75:30:30 kg/ha being at par with 100:40:40 kg/ha, recorded highest values in terms of plant height (36.25 cm), stem thickness (6.73 mm), wrapper leaf area (133.58 cm2), bulb number (50.50/m2) and their weight (1.03 kg/m2) over lower levels of fertilizers tested in the study.