Influence of potting media compositions and triacontanol on growth, flowering and pot presentability of potted chrysanthemum

The selection of suitable growing media well-aerated with sufficient water absorption and drainage capability is an important prerequisite to producing potted plants. Another key component that influences the vegetative and flowering attributes of potted plants is the application of plant growth regulators. Several plant growth regulators are now being utilized efficiently for various purposes in floriculture and among them, triacontanol is one of the most important. In J&K there is a huge scope for commercialization of flowering potted plants and among them, Chrysanthemum is a potential pot plant. This suggested research to identify the best potting media composition and ideal triacontanol dose to produce quality Chrysanthemum flowerpots. Therefore, the effect of three potting mixtures viz., soil + sand + FYM (2:1:1 v/ v), soil + perlite + vermicompost (2:1:1 v/v), cocopeat + vermiculite + vermicompost (2:1:1 v/v) and five triacontanol doses (0, 0.5, 1.5, 2.5, 3.5 ppm) were tested on the growth and flowering characteristics of Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat. at SKUAST-J, during 2023-2024. The experiment was carried out in a factorial completely randomized design with fifteen treatments replicated thrice. The result showed that among the various treatments, T8 i.e., soil + perlite + vermicompost (2:1:1 v/v) plus triacontanol at 1.5 ppm was found superior in terms of plant height (28.27 cm), the number of branches per plant (6.36), plant spread (275.44 cm2 ), leaf area (7.92 cm2 ), chlorophyll content (53.35 SPAD value), flower diameter (3.98 cm), number of flowers per plant (26.17), dry weight of shoot (59.33 g) and root (23.67 g) and pot presentability score (93) as compared to other treatment combinations.