Effect of Different Concentrations of Sodium Nitroprusside on Plant Growth and Flowering Characters in California Poppy

Abstract

In the present study, the effect of different concentrations of sodium nitroprusside on plant growth and flowering characters in California poppy plants was investigated. The field experiment was carried out during 2021-2022 at Horticulture Research Farm, Department of Horticulture, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. There were 8 treatments of sodium nitroprusside (200, 400, 600, 800, 1000,1200, 1400 and 1600μM), including control. All the growth and flowering parameters of California poppy were significantly influenced due to various levels of SNP. All the growth parameter was statistically influenced by the application of SNP. Maximum fresh weight of the flower (9.96 g) and dry weight of the flower (1.27 g) were observed with treatment SNP 1000μM. Whereas, maximum bud diameter (8.75 cm), peduncle length (20.32 cm), flower diameter (66.96 mm), number of flowers per plants (106.17) and flower withering (4.97 Days), earlier flower opening (73.89 DAT), maximum plant height at 90 DAT (52.49 cm), plant spread (76.30 cm) at 90 DAT, number of leaves of per plant (865.38), number of secondary branches (110.58), stem diameter (9.70 mm) and dry weight of leaves (1.48 g) were recorded with SNP @ 1200μM. Maximum bud appearance (74.58 DAT) was seen with treatment SNP 1400μM.