Effect of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium levels on growth, flowering and yield of African marigold (Tagetes erecta L. var. BM-2) under Odisha’s climatic conditions

Floriculture has emerged as a successful agribusiness, enhancing land productivity and generating employment across the value chain, from cultivation to retail, ultimately boosting the incomes of farmers and business owners. The marigold (Tagetes spp.), a member of the Asteraceae family, is a significant loose flower that cultivated commercially worldwide. Odisha has a good capacity for production because of the appropriate soil and climatic conditions. Given its significance, learning about enhanced cultivation and technological advancements in floriculture is essential for obtaining larger harvests. BM-2 is a high-performing variety and no research on this particular variety under Odisha's climatic conditions is currently available. To address this gap, a study was conducted using 24 treatment combinations derived from different levels of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (0, 60, 80 and 100 kg/ha each) and two levels of farmyard manure (FYM) (5 and 10 tonnes/ha), along with one control (no fertilizer). The effects of varying nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium dosages were assessed by recording and analyzing data from each of the 24 plots of the African marigold variety BM-2 for each season. The study concluded that, for the BM-2 variety, NPK application at 100:100:100 kg/ha produced the highest flower yield, NPK application at 100:80:100 kg/ha resulted in the best floral quality and NPK application at 80:100:100 kg/ha produced the greatest number of flowers.