Studies on optimization of spacing and nutrient levels on growth and flower yield of Ixora (Ixora coccinea L.)

The investigation was conducted at the Horticultural College and Research Institute for Women, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu, India, from 2019 to 2022. Primarily, Ixora was grown as an ornamental crop in gardens, parks and landscaping. Now it is an emerging loose flower crop in Tamil Nadu. For the commercial cultivation of Ixora, proper spacing and fertilizers are to be followed to get a high flower yield and farm income. Application of 75:150:150 g NPK per plant to Ixora plants planted at 2.5 m × 2 m spacing (T9) in two split doses during January and July has resulted in favorable and optimum growth and yield parameters namely, plant height (198.5 cm), number of primary branches/ plant (23), number of secondary branches/ plant (49.3), canopy spread (195.0 cm NS; 192.3 cm EW), leaf area index (2.35), days taken for first flower emergence (102), chlorophyll (a + b) content (12.69 mg/g), number of flower clusters/ plant (51.0), weight of flowers/ cluster (28.33 g) and flower yield (1.439 kg /plant). The addition of increasing amounts of fertilizer doses increased the status of soil available N, P and K. Planting of Ixora at the wider spacing indicated a higher status of available K. Under sodic and non-saline soil conditions, planting of Ixora plants in 2.5 m × 2 m spacing and applying fertilizers at 75:150:150 g NPK/plant can be practiced to double the flower yield.