Effect of Seaweed Extracts on the Growth, Flower Yield and Quality of Dahlia (Dahlia variabilis) C.V. Aditya Birla

Abstract

An experiment entitled “Effect of seaweed extracts on the growth, flower yield and quality of Dahlia (Dahlia variabilis) c.v. Aditya Birla” was conducted to evaluate the response of dahlia to different growth regulators, Kelp @ 2ml and 4 ml and Biovita @ 2ml and 4 ml. Thirteen different treatment combinations were replicated thrice in a Randomized Completely Block Design. The investigation revealed that Biovita was very effective and recorded maximum days to seed germination, plant height, number of leaves, stem diameter, secondary branch number. Leaf area Significant influence of growth regulators was observed on various vegetative parameters. Flower diameter, flower number, diameter and fresh weight increased Significant influence of growth regulators was observed on various foral parameters. Highest flower numbers per plant and flower yield per ha was recorded treatment T11 (4 ml L-1Biovita, 5 days interval). Treatment T11 recorded higher net realization Rs. 506700 which was followed by treatment cost of cultivation with of Rs.170500.. Furthermore, highest Cost benefit ratio was recorded under treatment T11 (1:2.97).