Marigold is one of the commercially exploited flower crop that belong to the family Asteraceae. Presently, in our country the commercial extraction of marigold carotenoids is becoming popular in many states. The production of economical yield and better quality of marigold flowers, requires proper crop management techniques. Crop regulation and flower forcing are important techniques to make the marigold production profitable. This can be done by adopting pinching and application of PGRs. Hence, an experiment was carried out in the Department of Horticulture, in factorial randamized block design replicated thrice with 14 treatments with two F1 hybrids viz., Gold Benz tall and Maxima yellow. The experiment comprised of GA3 @ 50, 100 and 150ppm, NAA @ 50, 100 and 150ppm, MH @ 250, 500 and 750ppm, Alar @ 200, 400 and 600ppm and pinching with untreated control. The study revealed that the growth parameter like plant height, number of laterals per plant, number of leaves per plant were significantly influenced by the application of GA3 and NAA. Among the varieties, Gold Benz tall performed better for all the growth attributes but var. Maxima yellow performed better for the number of laterals per plant. The plant sprayed with of GA3 @ 150ppm registered the maximum plant height (70.44cm), number of laterals per plant (16.13), number of leaves per plant (383.76) and leaf area (113.51cm2) and control evinced the least values in the growth parameters. Application of GA3 and NAA significantly enhanced flowering when compared to control, while pinching delayed flowering. The treatment of GA3 @ 150ppm in both Gold Benz tall (30.13 and 406.21 g plant-1) and Maxima yellow (33.16 and 402.83 g plant-1 recorded maximum number of flowers per plant and flower yield respectively as compared to control. Based on the above results, it is revealed that foliar spray of GA3 @ 150 ppm was found to be superior in increasing the yield of flowers in both the varieties.

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Genetic variability existing among genotypes is the prime and basic factor for the improvementof any character in a successful breeding programme of tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa L.).Though the attempts made so far to exploit the available variability have culminated in therelease of a few improved region specific selections as varieties from different centers inIndia, still, varieties suited to coastal eco-system are yet to be identified. Hence, an experimentwas laid out to study the performance of 21 genotypes of Polianthes tuberosa L. collected fromvaried geographical locations. The trial was conducted in the floriculture unit of the Departmentof Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University under randomized block designreplicated thrice to assess the genetic variability for eleven economic characters. The resultsshowed that the genotype PT-15 recorded relatively superior mean performance with respectto all characters. High PCV and GCV were observed for number of leaves per plant, plantheight and rachis length. Low variability in terms of PCV and GCV was observed for length ofthe flower and time taken for flowering. High PCV and GCV values of more than 60 per centwas observed for bulb volume followed by yield of flowers per plant, rachis length and durationof flowering. The genotypes viz., PT-15 (Kuzhumani, Thiruchirappalli District), PT-3(Ravanthavadi, Dharmapuri District) and PT-10(Perumalpatti, Dindugul District) were identifiedas superior genotypes which are suitable for the coastal region based on per se values and canbe utilized for future breeding programmes.

In Tamilnadu, Ariyalur district contributes a major share of cluster onion production. An ideotype popular among the growers of this locality is preferred by consumers of entire state for its size, storability and taste. Hence the present investigation was carried out the in a farmer’s field at Vennallur located in Ariyalur District during 2017. The experiment was laid out with seven treatments in randomized block design. Each treatment was replicated thrice. The treatments included three kinds of practices adopted by the farmers of the tract and four others where bulky organic manures (Vermicompost, Poultry manure) and concentrated organic manures (Neem cake and Groundnut cake) were substituted on ‘N’ equivalent basis, along with biofertilizers (Azospirillum and Phosphobacteria) and foliar spray of Panchakavya (3%). All the four treatments with organic inputs (T4 to T7) gave better results, when compared to farmer’s practice (T1 and T2). Though T3 was the best, incorporation of Poultry manure+Neem cake (T6) and Poultry manure+Groundnut cake (T7) along with Biofertilizer+Panchakavya 3 % improved the yield significantly in order.

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