Differential Effect of Different Methods of Applying Paclobutrazol on Calendula (Calendula officinalis L.) in Prayagraj Climatic Condition

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of different method of applying Paclobutrazol on plant growth and flower yield of Calendula (Calendula officinalis L.) cv. Bon Bon, during November 2022 to February 2023 at Floriculture Research Field, Department of Horticulture, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture Technology and Sciences, Pryagraj (U.P.). Different methods of applying Paclobutrazol viz., T0 No Treatment, T1 Paclobutrazol@ 50 ppm as Foliar application, T2 Paclobutrazol@ 100 ppm as Foliar application, T3 Paclobutrazol@ 150 ppm as Foliar application, T4 Paclobutrazol@ 200 ppm as Foliar application, T5 Paclobutrazol@ 50 ppm as Soil drenching, T6 Paclobutrazol@ 100 ppm as Soil drenching, T7 Paclobutrazol@ 150 ppm as Soil drenching and T8 Paclobutrazol@ 200 ppm as Soil drenching was applied to assess the vegetative, floral and yield characteristics of Calendula . The experiment was laid out in complete randomised block design with nine treatments and three replications. The result for growth and flower yield of Calendula (Calendula officinalis L.) showed significant difference for the various treatment applied as soil application as a paclobutrazol as well as foliar application. In general paclobutrazol@ 200 ppm as Soil drenching and foliar application improved the different growth and flower yield parameters suggest its efficacy of application. in comparison to plants that had other treatments applied, the plant's height is reduced, making it smaller and more dwarflike, and the number of lateral branches is increased, increasing the flower yield. When compared to foliar application, the soil drenching method of application was found to be more effective because plant roots absorb more of the substance. This is because plants are less capable of absorbing the substance because of higher rates of evapotranspiration in foliar application.