Effect of Mycorhizal and Vermicompost Application on Growth and Quality Flower Production of Annual Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum coronium L.)

Abstract

Annual Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum coronarium L.) is one of the most widely cultivated garden flowers and is highly suitable for loose flower, pot culture and bedding purposes. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of different mycorrhizal strains and vermicompost on growth and flowering of Chrysanthemum coronarium. The treatments comprise of 4 mycorrhiza treatments (No application, Glomus mosseae, Acaulospora laevis, Gigaspora margarita) and 4 vermicompost doses (0 g/ m2, 500 g/ m2, 750 g/ m2, 1 kg/ m2). After one year experiment, results revealed that chrysanthemum plants showed improved growth and flowering with the application of vermicompost and mycorrhiza. The highest plant height (107.00 cm), maximum number of side shoots per plant (18.22), maximum number of flowers per plant (107.88), flower diameter and flowering duration (57.00 days) was recorded with the application of Glomus mosseae + vermicompost @ 1 kg/m2 while maximum flower weight (8.64 g), maximum flower yield (902.36 g) and shelf life (8.40 days) was recorded with Gigaspora margarita + vermicompost @ 1 kg/m2). Thus, integration of mycorrhiza and vermi-compost serve as a way for sustainable chrysanthemum flower production.