EFFECT OF GROWTH REGULATOR AND NUTRIENT SPRAY TO IMPROVE THE GROWTH, FLOWERING, AND SEED PRODUCTION OF ZINNIA (ZINNIA ELEGANS JACQ.)

The present investigation, entitled "Effect of growth regulator and nutrient spray to improve the growth, flowering, and seed production of zinnia (Zinnia elegans Jacq.)" was carried out at the Floriculture experimental field SKUAST-K, Shalimar, during the year 2018-19.The experiment comprised two levels of gibberellic acid (G 1 @100ppm, G 2 @150ppm), two levels of salicylic acid (S 1 @ 100ppm, S 2 @ 150 ppm), and one level of commercial nutrient spray (N 1 = 4mL per liter), constituting a total of 18 treatment combinations replicated thrice in factorial Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD).Gibberellic acid @150ppm had a significantly increased number of flowers plant -1 (26.68), thousand seed weight (8.51g), and seed yield plant -1 (15.56g).However, the parameters flower diameter (10.72 cm), length of flowering stalk (12.62 cm), total number of flowers plant - 1 (25.59),flower fresh weight (12.75), and thousand seed weight (8.22 g) were recorded with salicylic acid @150ppm.Two sprays of nutrient formulation significantly improved the growth, floral attributes, and seed parameters.Nutrient spray @4ml/l significantly increased the number of flowers plant -1 (25.02), flower fresh weight (12.52 g), thousand seed weight (8.19g), and seed yield plant -1 (15.03g).