Journal

Journal of Applied Horticulture, 19(2), 139-142, 2017 Appl

Effect of integrated plant nutrient system for gerbera flower

production under protected cultivation

C. Parya
Department of Floriculture and Landscaping,Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Mohanpur, Nadia.
E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract
A field experiment was carried out in Entisol soil at Horticulture Research Station, BCKV, Nadia to study the response of integrated
plant nutrient supply system on gerbera under poly house condition. Different combinations of chemical fertilizer (100, 75 and 50%
RDF), organic manure (FYM and vermicompost) and bio-fertilizer (Azoztobacter and PSB) were evaluated in Randomized Block
Design. Healthy disease free tissue culture gerbera plants with uniform growth were planted in the bed of a size 10 x 1 m with a
spacing of 50 x 50 cm. The growth attributes, flowering characteristics, flower quality (stalk length and flower size) was improved
under the treatment receiving 75% RDF along with FYM, vermicompost and Azotobacter + PSB. The maximum numbers of flower
with longest shelf life in field condition and vase life in room condition could be harvested with combined application of 75% RDF,
FYM, vermicompost along with or without Azotobacter + PSB. The bio-fertilizer had significant role in flower quality improvement.
Key words: Integrated nutrient management, Gerbera jamesonii, poly hosuse, flower production, quality

Introduction to satisfy market demand. There is a need to standardize the

commercial production system for gerbera using nutrient
India has long history of traditional floriculture as references of management judiciously. Most of the experiments of nutrient
flowers and gardens are found in ancient Sanskrit clomics like management were conducted on rose, marigold, chrysanthemum,
the Rig Veda, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Shudraka, Ashogodha, tuberose etc. under open field condition. Information on
Kalidasa, Satrangdhara. The social and economic flower growing integrated nutrient management including chemical fertilizers,
were however, recognized much later. With changing life style organic manure as well as bio-inoculants on gerbera under close
and increased urban affluence floriculture has assumed a definite environment is lacking.
commercial status more precisely modern cut flower gains
additional attention (Sharma and Sharma, 2010). The gerbera The present experiment was formulated with the objectives to
(Gerbera jamesonii Bolus ex Hooker F.) under the family evaluate the response of integrated plant nutrient supply system
Asteraceae is popular ornamental flower as decorative garden with special reference to different sources of organic manure (farm
plant, containers plant or mostly as cut flower (Singh, 2010). yard manure and vermicompost) and bio-fertilizer (Azotobacter
Gerbera can contribute largely to the floriculture industry by and phosphate solubilising bacteria) along with varied level of
virtue of its yield potential, colour potential, colour variation and inorganic fertilizer on the growth, flower production and quality
long vase life. The liberalized economy has given an impetus to improvement of gerbera under poly house condition in new
Indian entrepreneurs for establishing export oriented floriculture alluvial zone of West Bengal.
units under controlled atmospheric conditions, i.e., protected
cultivation/ green house situation. To meet the demand for Materials and methods
disease, pest free, blemish free quality flower in both domestic and The experiment was carried out at Horticulture Research Farm,
export flower market, farmers are opting to protected cultivation. Mondouri, Bidhan Chandra KrishiViswavidyalaya, Nadia, West
The production of gerbera in a very small green house (500 Bengal. The experimental site is situated at 23.50 N latitude and
m2) is 75000 to 90000 nos. year-1 (Gill, 2000). Moreover, the 890 E longitude with an altitude of 9.75 m above mean sea level
integrated plant nutrient supply system holds a great promise in and topographically the land is medium. The experimental soil
meeting up the growing nutrient demands of intensive agriculture/
was entisol and clay loam in texture. The soil comprised of 0.62%
horticulture and maintains the crop productivity at a fairly high
organic carbon, 0.06% total N, 28.50 kg ha-1 available P, 162.50
level. It also aims at efficient and judicious use of all major
kg ha-1 available K. The experiment was laid out in Randomized
resources of plant nutrients in an integrated manner so as to
Block Design (RBD) with nine treatments replicated thrice.
obtain sustainable production with minimum deleterious effect
The treatments comprised nine integrated nutrient application
of chemical fertilizers on soil health and least disturbance to the
system viz., T1: Without fertilizer; T2: 100% recommended dose
plant-soil-environment relationship.
of chemical fertilizer (RDF); T3: 100% recommended dose of
The commercial production of flower manipulation is important chemical fertilizer (RDF) + FYM (2 kg m-2 year-1); T4: 75%
regarding sustainable production, quality produce and extending recommended dose of chemical fertilizer (RDF) + FYM (2 kg m-2
suitable agro-climatic situation under poly house condition year-1); T5: 75% recommended dose of chemical fertilizer (RDF)
Journal of Applied Horticulture (www.horticultureresearch.net)
140 Integrated plant nutrient system for gerbera flower production under protected cultivation

+ FYM (1 kg m-2 year-1) + vermicompost (300 g m-2 year-1); T6: viz., shelf life of flower in field condition and vase life of flower
75% recommended dose of chemical fertilizer (RDF) + FYM (1 in room condition was recorded. The results so obtained were
kg m-2 year-1) + vermicompost (300 g m-2 year-1) + Azotobacter + pooled over two years and were subjected to statistical analysis
PSB; T7: 50% recommended dose of chemical fertilizer (RDF) + by analysis of variance method. The significance of different
FYM (2 kg m-2 year-1); T8: 50% recommended dose of chemical sources of variations was tested by Fischer and Snedecor’s ‘F’
fertilizer (RDF) + FYM (1 kg m-2 year-1) + vermicompost (300 test at probability level 0.05.
g m-2 year-1); T9: 50% recommended dose of chemical fertilizer
(RDF) + FYM (1 kg m-2 year-1) + vermicompost (300 g m-2 Results and discussion
year-1) + Azotobacter + PSB. The nutrient per cent in organic
manure as per analysis was 0.5, 0.18 and 0.49% of N, P and K, Growth attributes: The maximum number of plant height (28.67
respectively in farm yard manure and 1.8, 2.4 and 1.0% of N, P cm), number of leaves plant-1 (28.81) and leaf area (215.73
and K, respectively in vermicompost. m2) were recorded when gerbera plant was fertilized with 75%
recommended dose of chemical fertilizer (RDF) + FYM (1 kg
The recommended dose of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium m-2 year-1) + vermicompost (300 g m-2 year-1) + Azotobacter +
from chemical fertilizer for gerbera considered in the experiment PSB (T6). It was closely followed by the treatment T5 (75% RDF
were 20 g of urea, 20 g of single super phosphate and 15 g of along with FYM 1 kg m-2 year-1, vermicompost 300 g m-2 year-1)
muriate of potash m-2 month-1, respectively. The talc powder (1:1) and T3 (100% RDF along with FYM 2 kg m-2 year-1). Significant
carrier (pH 6.5 to 7.5 and moisture 30-40%) based bio-fertilizer improvement regarding growth attributes of gerbera plant was
was used having CFU minimum 107 cells g-1 of carrier and no noticed in all the integrated nutrient management treatments
contamination was found at 105 dilution. There was a high-tech over control (T1). The 25% reduction in recommended dose of
polyhouse with open air ventilation of 400 m2 size (32 m x 12.5 chemical fertilizer in conjunction with organic sources of nutrient
m merging two units). The height of the green house was 6 m for and bio-fertilizer resulted improvement in gerbera plant growth
proper air circulation. Length of the bed was 10 m and width was components over 100% recommended dose of mineral fertilizer.
1 m. To control light intensity and solar intensity, white shade net This might be due to the fact that organic manure not only supply
of 50-70% was used. Light intensity was approximately 400 w primary plant nutrients but also acts as store house of secondary
m-2 measured by lux meter in the polyhouse which is very useful plant nutrients and micro nutrients. Thus availability of plant
for gerbera. The tissue culture plant of gerbera cv. Supernova nutrients to the crop was also increased in a synchronized manner
(yellow flower) was planted at spacing of 50 cm x 50 cm. As per throughout the crop growth period. The results are in line with
the specified bed each of the treatment in a replication consisted the findings of Haripriya et al. (2004) in case of rose.
of 54 numbers of plants. The soil surrounding the plant raked at
every fortnight for aeration. The plant height, numbers of leaf Flowering attributes: The flower bud appeared early (75.55
and leaf area was computed as vegetative parameters. On the days) in control plot (T1) whereas it required more time for
other hand, appearance of first flower bud, days to flower bud flower bud opening (6.47 days) and full bloom (16.67 days). The
opening, number of days required to full bloom of flower bud, maximum delay in first flower bud appearance (95.55 days) was
stalk length, flower stalk diameter, fresh weight of flower stalk, registered under the treatment having 100% recommended dose
flower diameter, disc diameter and fresh weight of flower were of mineral fertilizer (T2). Application of higher level of chemical
measured as reproduction parameters as well as yield component. fertilizer in absence of organic sources lengthened the vegetative
Ultimately, flower production potential as number of flower plant-1 growth of gerbera plant, which ultimately delayed the initiation
year-1, number of flower per m-2 as well as quality parameters of reproductive phase. The results are also corroborated with
Table 1. Effect of integrated plant nutrient system on growth characters and flowering attributes of gerbera (Pooled data of two years)
Treatments Growth attributes Flowering attributes Stalk behaviour
Plant Number Leaf Appearance Days to Days to Stalk Stalk Fresh weight
height of leaves area of first flower flower bud full length diameter of stalk
(cm) plant-1 (cm2) bud (days) opening bloom (cm) (cm) (g)
T1 17.95 18.65 155.29 75.55 6.47 16.67 29.69 0.42 1.70
T2 24.12 24.10 201.21 95.55 5.84 16.19 35.90 0.47 2.51
T3 27.35 26.55 210.40 94.01 5.74 15.90 38.45 0.54 2.93
T4 25.46 24.60 202.50 90.05 5.26 15.45 35.55 0.50 2.60
T5 27.43 27.50 212.35 86.35 5.23 13.43 39.90 0.55 3.02
T6 28.67 28.81 215.73 80.60 5.08 12.40 42.73 0.57 3.15
T7 21.40 23.15 194.45 84.11 5.40 15.49 34.90 0.47 2.35
T8 23.20 23.95 199.81 81.21 5.27 15.12 36.17 0.49 2.62
T9 25.90 26.15 204.87 78.95 4.69 11.05 37.91 0.50 2.65
S.Em.(±) 0.91 0.91 2.11 2.32 0.54 0.64 0.87 0.008 0.10
C.D. at 5% 2.70 2.72 6.31 6.94 1.61 1.90 2.60 0.23 0.28
T1: Without fertilizer; T2: 100% RDF; T3: 100% RDF + FYM (2 kg m year ); T4: 75% RDF + FYM (2 kg m year ); T5: 75% RDF + FYM (1 kg
-2 -1 -2 -1

m-2 year-1) + vermicompost (300 g m-2 year-1); T6: 75% RDF + FYM (1 kg m-2 year-1) + vermicompost (300 g m-2 year-1) + Azotobacter + PSB; T7:
50% RDF + FYM (2 kg m-2 year-1); T8, 50% RDF + FYM (1 kg m-2 year-1) + vermicompost (300 g m-2 year-1); T9, 50% RDF + FYM (1 kg m-2 year-1)
+ vermicompost (300 g m-2 year-1) + Azotobacter + PSB
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 Integrated plant nutrient system for gerbera flower production under protected cultivation 141

Table 2. Effect of integrated plant nutrient system on flower character and quality of gerbera flower (Pooled data of two years)
Flower character Flower production Flower quality
Flower diameter Disc diameter Fresh weight of Number of flower Number of flower Shelf life of Vase life of flower
Treatments
(cm) (cm) flower (g) plant-1 m-2 flower in field in room condition
condition (days) (days)
T1 7.23 2.02 5.10 6.14 55.17 9.10 12.21
T2 10.68 2.52 5.55 8.32 75.00 10.33 12.77
T3 11.55 3.12 5.89 9.04 81.40 11.27 13.80
T4 10.85 2.62 5.64 8.42 75.80 11.00 13.40
T5 11.74 2.94 5.84 9.35 84.10 12.01 14.73
T6 12.18 2.98 5.96 9.58 86.25 13.50 16.30
T7 9.83 2.33 5.37 8.19 73.50 10.40 13.15
T8 10.25 2.38 5.41 8.77 79.00 11.63 14.35
T9 10.74 2.51 5.58 8.84 80.00 13.30 15.75
S.Em.(±) 0.37 0.08 0.06 0.12 1.15 0.16 0.19
C.D. at 5% 1.10 0.22 0.16 0.35 3.42 0.47 0.56
T1: Without fertilizer; T2: 100% RDF; T3: 100% RDF + FYM (2 kg m-2 year-1); T4: 75% RDF + FYM (2 kg m-2 year-1); T5: 75% RDF + FYM (1 kg
m-2 year-1) + vermicompost (300 g m-2 year-1); T6: 75% RDF + FYM (1 kg m-2 year-1) + vermicompost (300 g m-2 year-1) + Azotobacter + PSB; T7:
50% RDF + FYM (2 kg m-2 year-1); T8, 50% RDF + FYM (1 kg m-2 year-1) + vermicompost (300 g m-2 year-1); T9, 50% RDF + FYM (1 kg m-2 year-1)
+ vermicompost (300 g m-2 year-1) + Azotobacter + PSB
the experimental evidence of Singh (2006). However, minimum to integrated plant nutrient supply system (Table 3). The highest
days taken for flower bud opening (4.69 days) and full bloom number of flower plant-1 (9.58) and m-2 (86.25) were recorded
(11.05 days) was observed under 50% RDF + FYM 1 kg m-2 when gerbera plant was treated with 75% RDF + FYM @ 1 kg
year-1 + vermicompost 300 g m-2 year-1 + Azotobacter + PSB m-2 year-1 + vermicompost @ 300 g m-2 year-1 + Azotobacter +
(T9). It was closely followed by the treatment T6 (5.08 and 12.40 PSB (T6), which was closely followed by the number of flower
days, respectively). The complete blooming of gerbera flower plant-1 (9.35) and m-2 (84.10) under the treatment T5 (75% RDF
was quick when the crop was inoculated with Azotobacter + + FYM @ 1 kg m-2 year-1 + vermicompost @ 300 g m-2 year-
PSB in conjunction with FYM and vermicompost. Integrated 1
). Moreover, higher flower production potential of gerbera
use of chemical fertilizer, organic manure as well as bio-fertilizer was also acquired with the addition of organic manure (FYM,
known as balanced nutrition promotes synergistic interactions in vermicompost) in conjunction with reduced level of N, P and K
the plant, proper growth and development of gerbera plant. Thus, (75 or 50% of RDF) through inorganic sources of nutrient. This
integrated nutrient management aggravates the flower production. might be due to the fact the supply of nutrient is more balanced
Similar type of positive response on flowering attributes of under integrated plant nutrient supply system, which helps to
gladiolus due to integrated nutrient management was previously keep plants healthy (low incidence of insect-pest-disease) and
ascertained by Godse et al. (2006). enhanced soil biological activity, which in turn improves nutrient
mobilization from organic matter and soil reserves. The result
Stalk behaviour and flower character: The pooled data confirms the findings of Prasad and Gill (2007). The enhancement
portrayed in Table 1 & 2 indicated that integrated plant nutrient in flower production due to integrated nutrient management in
supply treatments showed significant influence on the flower gerbera is an agreement with the findings of Thane et al. (2009).
stalk behaviour (i.e. stalk length, stalk diameter and fresh It was also noted that bio-fertilizer in presence of organic manure
weight of stalk) and flower characters (i.e. flower diameter, disc had positive impact on gerbera flower yield. The improvement
diameter and fresh weight of flower) of gerbera. The significant may be due to the fact that bio-fertilizer containing organism are
improvement in flower stalk quality and flower size was noticed mostly chemo-organotrophs and derive carbon and energy from
in all the nutrient management treatments over control. However, organic matter.
it was also witnessed that when gerbera plant was fertilized
with vermicompost @ 300 g m-2 year-1, FYM 1 kg m-2 year-1, Flower quality: Integrated nutrient management treatments
Azotobacter + PSB in conjunction with either 75% or 50% RDF influenced significantly, the shelf life of gerbera flower in
(T6 and T9) and 100% RDF + FYM 2 kg m-2 year-1 (T3), produced field condition and vase life of flower under tap water in room
flower with longest flower stalk with large size of flower as condition (Table 3). When the plant received 75% RDF + FYM @
compared to the 100% RDF (T2). This improvement might be 1 kg m-2 year-1 + vermicompost @ 300 g m-2 year-1 + Azotobacter +
due to the fact that balanced nutrition ensures the availability of PSB produced gerbera flower with highest shelf life (13.50 days)
and vase life (16.30 days). It was also registered that significant
all the essential plant nutrients throughout the crop growth period
improvement on shelf life and vase life of gerbera flower was
even at the reproductive phase. This positive role of integrated
recorded in all the treatments having combined sources of nutrient
nutrient management on flowering attributes was also reported
(both organic and inorganic) over 100% RDF (T2). The results
by Athalve et al. (2006).
are in line with the findings of Thane et al. (2007) in gerbera and
Flower production: The pooled data of two years of Chopde et al. (2007) in tuberose. They showed that flower quality
experimentation indicated that the flower production potential was significantly improved with the application of vermicompost
viz., number of flowers plant-1 and m-2 differed significantly due + Azotobacter + PSB. Chaimani et al. (2008) reported that use of
Journal of Applied Horticulture (www.horticultureresearch.net)
142 Integrated plant nutrient system for gerbera flower production under protected cultivation

vermicompost enhanced concentrations of Ca and Mg in plant Chopde, M.R., P. Shalini and S.A. Bhogle, 2007. Integrated nutrient
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