Influence of Animal Manure Combined with Biochar on Plant Growth and Yield in Pinched Seedling of African Marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) cv. Pusa Narangi Gainda

Aims: The present experiment investigated the effects of different doses of Biochar, Goat Manure, Sheep Manure and Camel Manure on the growth and flower yield of pinched seedling African marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) cv. Pusa Narangi Gainda Study Design: Randomized complete block design. Place and Duration of Study: The field experiment was conducted during 2013-14 at the Horticultural Experimental Field, Department of Horticulture, SHUATS, Prayagraj (U.P.) India. Methodology: Nine treatments were evaluated, including Biochar at 2 t/h, 2.5 t/h and 3 t/h, combined with Goat, Sheep and Camel Manure at rates of 1 t/h, 2 t/h and 3 t/h. The treatments significantly improved plant growth parameters such as plant height, number of branches, leaf area, plant spread, stem diameter, stalk length, flower diameter and flower yield, while reducing the time to first flower bud emergence. Results: Among the treatments, T3 (Biochar 3 t/h + Goat Manure 3 t/h) demonstrated the most pronounced effects, achieving the highest values for plant height (66.07 cm), number of branches (27.80), leaf area (1582.15 cm²), plant spread (47.83 cm), stem diameter (1.90 cm), stalk length (8.23 cm), flower diameter (11.24 cm), total flowers per plant (49.15), flower weight (8.38 g), flower yield per plant (412.78 g), flower yield per plot (12.38 kg) and total flower yield (20.37 t/ha), along with the shortest bud initiation period (30.96 days). Conclusion: The results indicate that T3 is the most effective treatment for enhancing both vegetative and reproductive growth in pinched seedling of African marigold.