The Pharma Innovation Journal 2019; 8(7): 609-613 ISSN (E): 2277- 7695 ISSN (P): 2349-8242 NAAS Rating: 5.03 Effect of micronutrients on growth, flower quality and TPI 2019; 8(7): 609-613 © 2019 TPI yield of China aster (Callistephus chinensis L) under www.thepharmajournal.com Received: 16-05-2019 Allahabad agro climatic condition Accepted: 18-06-2019 Ashita Joseph Ashita Joseph, VM Prasad, Vijay Bahadur, Samir E Topno and Department of Horticulture, Naini Agricultural Institute, Deepanshu Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Abstract Sciences, Prayagraj, The present experiment was carried out during November, 2018 to February, 2019 in Departmental Uttar Pradesh, India Research Field of Department of Horticulture, SHUATS, Prayagraj. The experiment was conducted in Randomized Block Design (RBD), with ten treatments of Micronutrients, the treatments were replicated VM Prasad Department of Horticulture, thrice. The treatments were T0 (RDF (Control)), T1 (RDF + Boron 0.2%), T2 (RDF + Boron 0.4%), T3 Naini Agricultural Institute, (RDF + Boron 0.6%), T4 (RDF + Zinc 0.2%), T5 (RDF + Zinc 0.4%), T6 (RDF + Zinc 0.6%), T7 (RDF + Sam Higginbottom University of Iron 0.2%), T8 (RDF + Iron 0.4%) and T9 (RDF + Iron 0.6%). From the present investigation it is found Agriculture, Technology and that the treatment T5 (RDF + Zinc 0.4%) found best in terms of Growth, Yield and quality parameters of Sciences, Prayagraj, China Aster followed by treatment T4 (RDF + Zinc 0.2%). In terms of economics of different treatments, Uttar Pradesh, India maximum Gross Return, Net Return and Cost Benefit ratio was also found in T5 followed by treatment T4 where as minimum was recorded in treatment T0 (Control). Vijay Bahadur Department of Horticulture, Keywords: China aster, micronutrients, boron, zinc and iron Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Introduction Sciences, Prayagraj, China aster [Callistephus chinensis (L.) Nees] belongs to one of the largest families of Uttar Pradesh, India flowering plants, ‘Asteraceae’. The genus Callistephus has only a single speciesi.e. Callistephus chinensis. It’s diploid (2n) chromosome number is 18 (Huziwara, 1954). It is Samir E Topno native to China and is one of the most important annual flower crops grown in most parts of Department of Horticulture, Naini Agricultural Institute, the world. In India, it is grown traditionally for its loose flowers, cut flower and used in Sam Higginbottom University of arranging vase, floral decorations, making garlands and venis. Among annual flowers, it ranks Agriculture, Technology and next to chrysanthemum and marigold. Sciences, Prayagraj, China aster (Callistephus chinensis L. Nees.) is a half hardy annual and commercial flower Uttar Pradesh, India crop. It is an important annual crop of our country. The genus Callistephusis derived from two Deepanshu Greek words Kalistos meaning ‘most beautiful’ and Stephus, ‘a crown’ referring to the flower Department of Horticulture, head. The present day asters have been developed from a single form of wild species, Naini Agricultural Institute, Callistephus chinensis. The evolution of China aster was a history of remarkable variations. Sam Higginbottom University of The original plant had single flowers with two or four rows of blue, violet or white ray florets. Agriculture, Technology and The stature was medium tall, 18 to 24 inches in height. The first change in the flower type had Sciences, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India been the prolongation or development of central florets and the production of quality flowers. The commercial importance of China aster is increasing in India especially in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and West Bengal. Its cultivation needs to be popularized as there is a tremendous scope for its usage. The varieties grown by farmers are mainly Local Pink, Local White and Local Violet which are inferior in yield and flower quality. Varietal evaluation is an improvement method used to found the best suited varieties/cultivars for a particular region which helps to improve the varietal wealth, by evaluation new high yielding varieties with improved characters. New improved varieties are evaluated for cut flower production with long and sturdy stalk with contrasting bigger size flower-heads, extended blooming period and higher vase life. Correspondence Ashita Joseph Department of Horticulture, Materials and Methods Naini Agricultural Institute, The Experimental was conducted in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with 10 treatments of Sam Higginbottom University of Micronutrients with three replications in the Departmental Research field of Department of Agriculture, Technology and Horticulture, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Sciences, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India Prayagraj during November, 2018 to February, 2019. ~ 609 ~ The Pharma Innovation Journal Total number of treatments were ten viz. T0 (RDF (Control)), photosynthesis and translocation of food material which T1 (RDF + Boron 0.2%), T2 (RDF + Boron 0.4%), T3 (RDF + enhanced the plant spread and is also improved root system of Boron 0.6%), T4 (RDF + Zinc 0.2%), T5 (RDF + Zinc 0.4%), plants resulting in absorption of more water and nutrients and T6 (RDF + Zinc 0.6%), T7 (RDF + Iron 0.2%), T8 (RDF + its utilization. Moreover, micronutrients activate several Iron 0.4%) and T9 (RDF + Iron 0.6%). Variety Metadoor were enzymes (catalase, carbonic dehydrogenize, tryptophane used for cultivation. synthates etc.) and involved various physiological activities. Similar results were also obtained by Kakade et al. (2009) [7] Climatic condition in the experimental site in China aster, Balakrishnan (2005) [2] in marigold and Ahmad The area of Prayagraj district comes under subtropical belt in et al. (2010) [1] in Rose. the south east of Utter Pradesh, which experience extremely In terms of Number of Primary Branches/Plant, treatment T5 hot summer and fairly cold winter. The maximum (RDF + Zinc 0.4%) recorded maximum (4.90, 15.49 and temperature of the location reaches up to 46 oC- 48 oC and 21.66) Number of Primary Branches/Plant, at 30, 60 and 90 seldom falls as low as 4 oC- 5 oC. The relative humidity Days respectively in ten treatments of Boron, Zinc and Iron, ranges between 20 to 94%. The average rainfall in this area is followed by T4 (RDF + Zinc 0.2%) with (4.52, 14.27 and around 1013.4 mm annually. However, occasional 19.29) at 30, 60 and 90 days respectively, where as minimum precipitation is also not uncommon during winter months. Number of Primary Branches/Plant (2.70, 7.28 and 14.84) was recorded in treatment T0 (Control). Increased the number Results and Discussion of Branches be due to micronutrients like ZnSO4 is essential The present investigation entitled “Effect of Micronutrients component of several dehydrogenase, proteinase, peptidase on Growth, Flower quality And Yield of China aster and promotes growth of hormones and closely associated with (Callistephus chinensis L) Under Allahabad Agro climatic growth, all these factors contributed to cell multiplication, cell Condition” was carried out during November 2018 to division and cell differentiation resulting in increased February, 2019 in Departmental Research Field of photosynthesis and translocation of food material which Department of Horticulture, Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam enhanced the number of Branches The above result was Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and confirmed by Pal. et al. (2016) [12] in Gerbera. Sciences, Prayagraj (U.P.) India. The results of the present In terms of Secondary Branches/Plant, treatment T5 (RDF + investigation, regarding the effect of micronutrients for Zinc 0.4%) recorded maximum (32.60 and 34.37) Number of growth, yield and flower quality of China aster, have been Secondary Branches/Plant, at 60 and 90 Days respectively in discussed and interpreted in the light of previous research ten treatments of Boron, Zinc and Iron, followed by T4 (RDF work done in India and abroad. The experiment was + Zinc 0.2%) with (28.67 and 32.01) at 60 and 90 days conducted in Randomized block design with 10 treatments, respectively, where as minimum Number of Secondary and three replications. The results of the experiment are Branches/Plant (10.01 and 22.16) was recorded in treatment summarized below. T0 (Control). Increased the number of Branches be due to micronutrients like ZnSO4 is essential component of several Growth Parameters dehydrogenase, proteinase, peptidase and promotes growth of In terms of Plant height, treatment T5 (RDF + Zinc 0.4%) hormones and closely associated with growth, all these factors recorded maximum (10.59, 42.65 and 61.71 cm) Plant height, contributed to cell multiplication, cell division and cell at 30, 60 and 90 Days respectively in ten treatments of Boron, differentiation resulting in increased photosynthesis and Zinc and Iron, followed by T4 (RDF + Zinc 0.2%) with (9.28, translocation of food material which enhanced the number of 38.24 and 53.18 cm) at 30, 60 and 90 days respectively, Branches The above result was confirmed by Pal. et al. (2016) where as minimum plant height (6.65, 21.71 and 42.72 cm) [12] in Gerbera. was recorded in treatment T0 (Control). The plant height In terms of Number of Leaves/Plant, treatment T5 (RDF + significantly influenced with application of micronutrient, Zinc 0.4%) recorded maximum (15.41, 43.69 and 186.21) ZnSO4 it encourages, cell multiplication, cell division and Number of Leaves/Plant, at 30, 60 and 90 Days respectively cell differentiation resulting in increased photosynthesis and in ten treatments of Boron, Zinc and Iron, followed by T4 translocation of food material which enhanced the plant (RDF + Zinc 0.2%) with (13.80, 36.62 and 157.19) at 30, 60 height and is also improved root system of plants resulting in and 90 days respectively, where as minimum Number of absorption of more water and nutrients and its utilization. Leaves/Plant (10.42, 25.43 and 126.16) was recorded in Moreover, micronutrients activate several enzymes (catalase, treatment T0 (Control).