Effect of seedling age, plant growth regulators and pinching on growth, flowering and yield in marigolds

The present study entitled “Effect of seedling age, plant growth regulators and pinching on growth, flowering and yield in African marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) cv. Pusa Bahar” was conducted at the Horticultural Research Farm, Department of Floriculture and Landscape, IGKV, Raipur, Chhattisgarh during rabi seasons 2023–2024 and 2024–2025.

The experiment was laid out in a factorial randomized block design (FRBD) with 3 replications and 24 treatment combinations, comprising 2 seedling ages (25 and 35 days), four PGR treatments (Cycocel at 1500 ppm, CCC at 2000 ppm, cytokinin (BA) at 200 ppm, cytokinin (BA) at 250 ppm) and 3 pinching levels (no pinching, single and double pinching). The results were statistically analysed and discussed based on pooled mean. The treatment combination, 25-day-old seedlings × Cycocel at 2000 ppm × single pinching (S1G₂P1) recorded the highest flower yield plant-1 (628.92 g), flower yield plot-1 (11.38 kg) and flower yield hectare -1 (29.12 t). The treatment 25-day-old seedlings × CCC at 2000 ppm × double pinching (S1G₂P₂) resulted in the minimum plant height (60.88 cm) and the maximum number of flowers plant-1 (79.13). Moreover, the treatment combination 25-day-old seedlings × cytokinin (BA) at 250 ppm × no pinching (S1G₄P₀) recorded the minimum values for all parameters except plant height (106.11 cm).

Based on the overall findings, it can be concluded that the combined application of 25-day-old seedlings with CCC at 2000 ppm and single pinching is most effective for optimising growth, flowering and yield of African marigold cv. Pusa Bahar.

Kumar, T & Tamrakar, S & Kumar, V. (2026). Effect of seedling age, plant growth regulators and pinching on growth, flowering and yield in African marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) cv. Pusa Bahar. Plant Science Today. 13. 10.14719/pst.13181.

Source: Research Gate