Effect of Plant Growth Regulators and Pinching on Plant Growth and Flowering Parameters in Calendula
Vishnu Kumar Sharma *
Department of Horticulture, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi-221 005 (U.P.), India.
Anjana Sisodia
Department of Horticulture, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi-221 005 (U.P.), India.
Pankaj Kumar Meena
Department of Horticulture, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi-221 005 (U.P.), India.
Raj Kumar Jakhar
Department of Horticulture, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi-221 005 (U.P.), India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The study was carried out at Banaras Hindu University in Varanasi in 2021–2022 to evaluate the impact of benzyl adenine (BA) and pinching on growth and flowering of calendula (Calendula officinalis L.). Pinching was done at 30 DAT, and BA was sprayed on the leaves at 50–300 ppm at 21 DAT. Three replications of the experiment were set up in a Randomized Block Design. Pinching greatly enhanced the number of main branches, leaf area, and plant spread while decreasing the height of the plant. While BA 200 ppm increased floral weight, flower quantity, and peduncle length, BA 250 ppm generated the greatest number of branches. Maximum floral diameter and delayed flower initiation were seen at BA 150 ppm. Additionally, pinching improved blooming characteristics and extended flower life. Pinching × BA 150 ppm for floral size and pinching × BA 300 ppm for flower number had the best combined effects. The results indicate that the integration of pinching with suitable BA concentration can significantly improve vegetative growth, flower yield, and ornamental value in calendula.
Keywords: Calendula, BA, pinching, plant height, flower initiation