Studies on effect of different soil-based and soil-less growing media on growth and flowering of snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus L.) Kumar Rakesh, Singh Ajay Kumar*, Tomar Krishna S., Kanawjia Amit, Ojha Gurudatt Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, College of Horticulture, Banda University of Agriculture & Technology, Banda-210 001, Uttar Pradesh, India *Corresponding author’s e-mail: ajayorchid@gmail.com
Online published on 13 March, 2024. Abstract A pot experiment was carried out at Banda University of Agriculture & Technology, Banda to ascertain the effect of different potting media on growth and flowering parameters of snapdragon. The experiment was laid out in completely randomized design with eight treatments replicated thrice consisting of five pots per replication. The media compositions comprised of T1-Soil + Sand + FYM (2:1:1), T2-Soil + Sand + Vermicompost (2:1:1), T3-Soil + Sand + Vermicompost + Cocopeat (1:1:1:1), T4-Cocopeat + Perlite + Vermicompost (2:1:1), T5-Cocopeat + Vermicompost + Vermiculite (2:1:1), T6-Cocopeat + Perlite + Leaf Mould (2:1:1), T7-Cocopeat + Vermicompost + Leaf Mould (2:1:1) and T8-Soil + Leaf Mould + Sand (2:1:1). Analysis of results revealed that among different media compositions, growing media T5 was found to be best for plant height (21.33 cm), plant spread (22.88 cm), number of branches (16.24), number of leaves (409.53), flower bud diameter (0.53 cm) and number of flowers (28.13). Earliness in flower bud initiation (41.80 days) was recorded in T3 and T2 whereas T2 exhibited minimum days to flower bud opening (50.33 days). Highest root length (11.83 cm) was recorded at full bloom stage in media composition T5 whereas, maximum root spread (14.27 cm) was recorded with the treatment T3. Therefore, it can be concluded that T5 media composition Cocopeat + Vermicompost + Vermiculite (2:1:1) was found best for growth and flowering of snapdragon. Top Keywords Antirrhinum, Cocopeat, Growing media, Vermicompost and leaf mould. Top |