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Gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii B.) also known as Transvaal daisy, Barbeton daisy or African daisy belonging to family Asteraceae occupies 5 th place as cut flower in international flower trade (Sujatha et al., 2002). It is popular because of it is attractive colour, long vase life and suitability for long distant transport (Bose et al., 2003 andChauhan, 2005). It is used for fresh and dry flower arrangement, exhibition, decoration, bouquet preparation (Patra et al., 2015). Local and improved cultivar is grown in garden, flower bed, pots, borders, dish garden and rock garden. Flowers are of different colour like white cream, yellow, pink, orange, brick red, scarlet, salmon, maroon and bicolor and are available in single, semi-double or double form.

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The present investigation was carried out in premises of Biotechnology cum Tissue Culture Centre, Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar during 2015-16 and 2016-17. The objective of the study was to standardize suitable integrated nutrient management (INM) practices on post harvest life of gerbera cut flowers. Four leaved tissue culture plantlets of gerbera cv. Shimmer a hybrid suitable for protected cultivation were used for planting. Experiment was laid down in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with eight treatments combination and three replications per treatment. The treatments of different combination of vermicompost, biofertilizer, chemical fertilizer and macro and micro nutrients spray were used. The biofertilizers were applied after incubation with vermicompost for 7 days. Recommended dose of fertilizer were applied 3 month after planting as top dressing and subsequently as per treatment. Treatment combination of 75% Recommended Dose of Fertilizer (RDF) + vermicompost + Phosphorus Solublising Bacteria (PSB) + Azotobacter/Azospirillum + macro and micronutrient spray recorded maximum percent gain in weight of flower stalk, maximum percent gain in stalk length in vase, maximum percent gain in flower diameter, highest solution uptake in vase and longest vase life.

The present investigation on Effect of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients on flowering of hybrid gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii B.) cv. Shimmer in open field condition was conducted at Biotechnology cum Tissue Culture Centre, OUAT Bhubaneswar during 2015-16 and 2016-17. The aim of the study was to find out suitable organic and inorganic sources of nutrients for cut flower production of gerbera in open field condition. There were eight treatment combinations consisting of 100% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF), Vermicompost, 75% RDF, PSB, Azospirillum, Azotobacter and foliar spray of macro and micro elements. Application of 75% RDF (15:10:30 g NPK/10 plants) + Vermicompost (25 g/10 plants) + Azospirillum/ Azotobacter (20 g/10 plants) + PSB (20 g/10 plants) + macro and micro element spray recorded earlier flower bud initiation and flowering. The same treatments conducted to maximum length of flower stalk, thickness of flower stalk, flower diameter, number of flowers/plant and bloom life. It can be concluded that reduced dose of chemical fertilizer (75% RDF) along with application of vermicompost and biofertiizer can improve flower yield of gerbera in open field condition.