PRE-SUBMISSION

On
“Effect of Micronutrients on growth, flower yield and flower quality of Petunia
(Petunia hybrida) cv. Purple Star.)”

ADVISOR: Submitted by :
Prof.(Dr.)V.M. Prasad I. Manoj Venkatesh
Department of Horticulture PID.NO-18MSHFC008

M.Sc.Ag Horticulture
(Floriculture and landscaping)

DEPARTMENT OF HORTICULTURE
NAINI AGRICULTURAL INSTITUTE
SAM HINGGIBOTTOM UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE,
TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCE (SHUATS)
NAINI, PRAYAGRAJ (ALLAHABAD) (U.P) – 211007
 PRE-SUBMISSION
ON
“Effect of Micronutrients on growth, flower yield and flower quality of Petunia (Petunia hybrida) cv.
Purple Star.)”
Submitted by : I. Manoj Venkatesh
M.Sc. (Ag.) Horticulture (Floriculture and landscaping)
Id. No. 18MSHFC008
Chairman: Prof.(Dr.) Alok Milton Lal
Professor Department of Biochemistry and biochemical engineering..
Advisor : Prof.(Dr.) V.M.Prasad
Professor, Department of Horticulture
Co-Advisor : Dr. S.Saravanan
Associate Professor,
Department of Horticulture
Member : Dr. Vijay Bahadur
Head, Associate Professor, Department of Horticulture.
Member : Dr. Sameer E.Topno
Assistant professor Department of Horticulture

DEPARTMENT OF HORTICULTURE
NAINI AGRICULTURAL INSTITUTE,
SAM HIGGINBOTTOM UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE, TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCES,
PRAYAGRAJ-211007
 INTRODUCTION
 Petunia (petunia hybrida ) is a winter annual flowering crop belongs to the family Solanaceae, and flowers vary
from i.e. single to double in different colours like white, cream, pink, purple, magenta, mauve, salmon or
bicoloured are available.
 Petunia is open pollinated crop. The height of plant varies from 50- 70 cm. the seedlings are transplanted in first
week of November at 45 cm x 45 cm distance. Seeds are ready for harvesting from April to mid june.
 Harvest the pods as they began drying otherwise shattering will occur. it is native of south America and is very
popular in indian gardens due to its floriferous and hardy nature.
 Petunia is commonly grown as bedding, pots, hanging baskets, window boxes, rockery and for mass planting.
Plants grow about 30 to 40 cm and have spreading habit with trailing branches. leaves are small, round and
thick. The flowers have five petals which are joined and are trumpet shaped.
 The single bedding petunia is one of the best and most valuable bedding ornamental flowers, as this has a long
flowering season under favourable conditions.
 It flowers best as the hot weather approaches and can be continued till the rains in the hills. Petunias are also
good for borders, mass planting edgings, rock gardens (especially the dwarf types), window boxes, and hanging
basket (balcony type) and pots.
 Petunias were among the first flowers artificial hybridized in America in 1946.
 An ornamental herb, petunia, has tap and branches root system.
 Stem is erect, branched, herbaceous, solid, cylindrical, green and hairy. Leaf is simple, cauline, opposite,
sessile. ovate with multicostate venation.
 The inflorescence is cymose. solitary and auxiliary.
 The floral parts are in "fives". The outer most 5 segments are called calyx (sepals) and corolla (petals).
Collectively sepals and corolla form the perianth (tepals).
 There are 5 stamens and 2 carpels in the flower, bilocular, numerous ovules in each lucullus. Style is simple,
long and with a bifid stigma.
 The fruit is called capsule. The pollination is Entomophilies - through an agency of insects.
 The seed is very light and is enclosed in capsules and at maturity seeds come out when the capsule burst open.
 There are different types of petunia and large number of varieties available in different groups. the common
varieties of dwarf and compact bedding are : blue bird(blue-violet), cream star, peach red, rose of heaven, snow
ball, butter scotch, Fire chief, lady bird.
 Zinc is important as a component of enzymes for protein synthesis and energy production and maintains the
structural integrity of biomembranes. Zinc plays an important role in seed development and zinc-deficient plants
show delayed maturity.
 Zinc is required for the synthesis of auxin IAA and for carbohydrate metabolism, protein synthesis, internode
elongation for stem growth and in pollen formation (Shukla et al., 2009).
 Zn2+ ions at low concentration (0.01 ppm) slightly enhance the activity of tryptophan synthesis leading to
biosynthesis of auxin (Horak et al., 1976).
 Iron is also of great importance for life of plant. As redox-active metal, it is involved in photosynthesis,
mitochondrial respiration, nitrogen assimilation, hormone biosynthesis (ethylene, gibberellic acid,), production
and scavenging of reactive oxygen species, osmoprotection and pathogen defense. (Hansch and Mendel,
2009).
  Copper is capable of acting as election carrier in enzyme system which bring about oxidation reduction in paint
(Brady, 1980) it is an essential constituent of enzyme. Copper is an constituent of chlorophyll and therefore,
helps the synthesis of chlorphyll. It is essential for the synthesis of vitamin-A and other compounds in parts. It
acts as a catalyst in respiration.
 JUSTIFICATION
• Micronutrients play vital roles in the growth and development of plants, due to their stimulatory
and catalytic effects on metabolic processes and ultimately on flower yield and quality (Khosa et
al. 2011). Micronutrients are to be necessarily taken up by the plants from soil or supplemented
through foliar application for good growth and yield of crops.
• In the absence of micronutrients, the plants are known to suffer from physiological disorders which
eventually lead to imbalanced growth and low yield of flower. The nutrients supplied by micro-
elements are necessary for the various biochemical processes that occur within the plant and are
essential for normal plant growth and development.
• Keeping all the above points in view , the present investigation “Effect of Micro nutrients on
Growth and Flower yield and Flower Quality of Petunia (Petunia Hybrida ) cv. Purple Star’
during is going to be carried out under the following objectives
• OBJECTIVES 
1. To study the effect of micro nutrients on growth and flower yield and flower quality of Petunia
(Petunia hybrida) cv. Purple Star.
2. To work out the economics of the treatments.
 REVIEW OF LITERATURE
Kumar et al. (2003) evaluated the effect of boron, calcium and zinc on gladiolus variety Sylvia. It was observed
that earlier flowering and maximum number of corms was recorded with ZnSO 4 at 0.75%. Length of floret, spike
length, number of florets/spike, and width of floret, size of corm and weight of cormels were found significantly
increased with 0.2% borax and 0.75% ZnSO4.
 Sharma et al. (2004) studied the response of application of nutrients and growth regulators on the growth
flowering and corm production in gladiolus cv. Friendship. They sprayed urea (1.0 and 1.5%). GA (50 and 100
ppm). (0.4 and 0.6%) and NAA (50 and 100 ppm) after 45 days of planting the corms. In this study. ZnSO 4,
(0.6%) and GA (100 ppm) were found most effective for enhancing number and size of florets, spike length,
number of spikes per plant and flowering duration.
 Kakade et al., (2009) reported that Foliar application of ZnSO4 @ 0.5% at an interval of 30, 45 and 60 days
after transplanting Treatment ZnSO4 @ 0.5 % recorded maximum flower diameter (6.21 cm), as well as flower
stalk length (28.43 cm) followed by Treatment FeSO4 @ 0.4%, ZnSO4 @ 0.5% recorded the significantly highest
number of flowers (63.24), weight of flowers (164.42 g) per plant as well as flower yield (182.69q) as compared
to control in china aster.
Katiyar et al. (2012) carried out an experiment on growth and spike production in gladiolus with foliar application of
zinc, calcium and boron. The treatments were zinc sulphate 0.5%, calcium sulphate 0.75% and borax 0.2% respectively.
The results obtained revealed that the foliar spray of zinc at 0.5% to gladiolus plants was most effective for enhancing
vegetative growth.
Bashir et al. (2013) worked on a trial entitled "Efficacy foliar application of micronutrients on growth and flowering of
Gerbera jamesonii ". Different treatment combinations comprising each four levels of urea (0. 1. 1.5 and 2.0%) and four
levels of Zn (0, 0.5, 0.75 and 15) were sprayed first at 15 days after planting, second at 3-leaf stage and third or last at 6-
leaf stage in gerbera. The application of ZnSO4, @ 1% solution increased the number of branches/plant (6.69) as
compared to control followed by ZnSO4, @ 0.75% (7.77) and ZnSO4 0.5% (0.21).
Application of ZnSO4 @ 0.75% showed the maximum length of branches/plant (35.87 cm) and number of leaves per
plant (8.10). Therefore, plants that received no fertilization of micronutrients, show minimum length of branches/plant. A
significant superiority of ZnSO4, 0.75% treatment over ZnSO4 @ 0.5% was observed. Minimum flower emergence days
were observed in plants sprayed with ZnSO 4 @ 1% solution as compared to those received no fertilization.
Sharma et al. (2013) conducted an experiment on gladiolus at Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and
Technology, Kanpur. The concentrations of foliar application of Zn. B and Ca were 0.75. 0.50 and 0.20%, respectively.
Earlier heading was noticed with the foliar application of Ca (64.54 days) and B (65.70 days) over control. The
maximum yield of spikes (16904.50) was recorded with foliar application of zinc and calcium (16781.25). The longer
florets (8.29 cm) were found in the plants sprayed with boron followed by Zn (8.23 cm). More corms (3.30 were
produced in the plants fertilized with zinc us compared to plant with no zinc application. Results revealed that foliar
spray of ZnSO4 @ 0.75% to gladiolus plants was most effective in influencing most of parameters rather than B and Ca.
Chaudhary et al. (2015) conducted a field experiment on African marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) to study the foliar effect of Zn
and Salicylic acid. The treatment combination Zn;SA2 (Zinc 0.75% + Salicylic acid 0.50 mg/L) had the maximum fresh
weight of flower (6.27 g), maximum dry weight of flower (1,58 g) and minimum was recorded in control. Significantly
maximum fresh weight of flower (6.03 g) and maximum dry weight of flower (1.46 g) were recorded with Zn3 (Zinc 0.75 %).
Chopde et al. (2016) studied the effect of foliar application of zine sulphate and ferrous sulphate on growth yield and quality
of annual chrysanthemum genotype 'NAC-7" at Satpuda Botanic Garden, Nagpur. Results revealed that foliar treatment of
0,5% zinc sulphate and 0.5% ferrous sulphate took significantly blooming days for first flower bud initiation (38.65 and 40,22
days, respectively) and 50 per cent flowering (37.32 and 58.33 days), respectively. Whereas, total number of flowers per plant
(85.47) were noticed significantly maximum with the foliar treatments of 0.5% zinc sulphate which were statistically at par
with 0.25% zinc sulphate (83.73) and 0.25% ferrous sulphate (84.50) respectively. Flower diameter was noticed significantly
maximum (5.95 cm with the foliar treatments of 0.5% zinc sulphate.
Nisha et al. (2018) reported that the effect of Micronutrients (Fe, Zn and B) on Growth and Flowering in Chrysanthemum
under Tarai conditions. Maximum plant height (40.82 cm), number of leaves per plant (129.26), primary (4.85) and secondary
branches (20.01), number of suckers per plant (24.50) and flowering duration (28.73 days) were recorded in ZnSO4 @ 0.6 %
as compare to the control.
While maximum plant spread (25.51 cm) was in ZnSO4@ 0.6% which was statistically at par with FeSO4 @ 0.6% also
exhibits early buds initiation (52.55 days), early flowering (65.60 days) and maximum shelf life (4.70 days) of
chrysanthemum flowers. Whereas, number of flowers per plant (71.12) was maximum in ZnSO4 @ 0.6% which was at par
with FeSO4@ 0.6% and Borax @ 0.4%, However maximum flower yield per plant (113.08 g), yield per square meter (1017.72
g), and per hectare (10.18 ton) was obtained in ZnSO4 @ 0.6% spray.
 MATERIALS AND METHODS

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The Research field trail work on “Effect of Micronutrients on Growth, Flower Yield and Flower Quality of
Petunia (Petunia hybrida) cy. Purple Star" completed in horticultural Research field, department of horticulture . The details
of the materials used in the methodology to be adopted during the course of study are mentioned below:

1. Experimental site
2. Layout description
3. Observations to be recorded
4. Treatment combination

1. EXPERIMENTAL SITE
The experiment completed using the petunia plants at the Horticultural Research field of Department of
Horticulture, Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj,
(Allahabad), during the year 2019-2020.
2. Layout description
The details of the layout are as follows:
1. Name of Crop : Petunia hybrid
2. Family : Solanaceae
3. Variety : Purple Star
4. Design of Experiment : RBD (Randomized block design)
5. Number of Treatments : 10
6. Number of Replications : 3
7. Number of Plots : 30
8. Size of plots : 1.5 m x 1.5 m
9. Area of single plot : 3 m²
. 10. Total length of experimental field : 18.3m
11. Total width of experimental field : 7.8m
12. Total area of experimental field : 142.5 m2
13. Width of main irrigat6ion channel : 1.0 m
14. Width of sub-irrigation channel : 0.50 m
15. Plant to plant distance : 0.50m
16. Row to row distance : 0.55m
17. Number of plants in each plot : 04
18. Number of plants in experimental field : 120
19. Location of experiment : Floriculture Research Farm.
 3. OBSERVATIONS RECORDED:
A. Growth Parameters:
Plant height (cm).
Plant Spread (cm).
Number of branches per plant.
Number of leaves per plant.
B. Floral Characters:
Number of days required for 1st flower bud emergence.
Number of days required for 1st flower opening.
Flower stalk length (cm).
Fresh weight of flower (gm).
Dry weight of flower (gm).
C. Quality Parameters:
Diameter of flowers (cm).
Flower length (cm).
D. Yield Parameters:
Total number of flowers per plant.
Flower yield per plant (gm).
Flower yield per plot (gm).
Flower yield per hectare (t/ha).
4. TREATMENT COMBINATION

S.No Treatments symbols Treatment Combinations

1. T0 CONTROL (RDF)

2. T1 ZNSO4@0.2%

3. T2 ZNSO4@ 0.4%

4. T3 ZNSO4@ 0.6%

5. T4 FESO4@ 0.2%

6. T5 FESO4@ 0.4%

7. T6 FESO4@ 0.6%

8. T7 CUSO4@0.2%

9. T8 CUSO4@0.4%

10. T9 CUSO4@0.6%

Spraying should be constant at 20, 40, 60 DAT (Days After Transplanting )

 N
LAYOUT OF EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

1.0 m
Main Irrigation Channel W E

R1   R2   R3
R1 T 0 R2 T 9 R3T5 S
R1 T 2 R2 T 1 R3T8

Sub irrigation channel 0.5 m

Sub irrigation channel 0.5 m

R1 T 7 R2 T 6 R3T4
R1 T 9 R2 T 5 R3T0
18.3 m
R1 T 1 R2 T 8 R3T2
R1 T 6 R2 T 4 R3T7
R1 T 5 R2 T 3 R3T9

R1 T 8   R2 T 2   R3T3
R1 T 4 R2 T 7 R3T6
R1 T 3   R2 T 0   R3T1
7.8 m
Statistical analysis :

 Analysis of all the treatment was carried out in Randomized Block Design.
The data obtained in respect of all the characters has been subjected to the following statistical analysis

Skeleton of ANOVA Table

Source of d.f. S.S M.S.S. F- value
variance calculated

Due to (t-1) SST MST=SST/(t- F1=MST/MSE

treatments 1)

Due to (r-1) SSR MSR=SSR/(r- F2=MSR/MSE

replications 1)

Due to error (t-1)(r-1) SSE MSE=SSE/(t-  

1)(r-1)
Total (rt-1) TSS    
 Where,
d.f = Degrees of freedom
r = No. of replications
t = No. of treatments
SSR = Sum of squares due to replications
SST = Sum of squares due to treatments
SSE = Error sum of squares
MSR = Mean sum of square due to replications
MST = Mean sum of squares due to treatments
EMS = Error mean sum of squares

S.E.(d) = √ 2 x EMS
r
C.D = S.E.(d) x ‘t’ error d.f at 5% level of significance.
Table 1: Effect of Micronutrients on Plant height (cm) of Petunia (Petunia hybrida) cv. Purple Star at
different intervals
Treatments Treatment Plant height (cm)
symbols combination 30 DAT 60 DAT 90 DAT 120 DAT

T0 Control 3.37 6.75 13.45 17.45

T1 ZNSO4 @ 0.2% 6.88 9.48 19.35 22.73
T2 ZNSO4@ 0.4% 6.43 8.78 18.65 21.64
T3 ZNSO4@ 0.6% 7.45 9.85 20.21 23.95
T4 FESO4@ 0.2% 6.01 8.01 17.51 20.65
T5 FESO4@ 0.4% 4.24 7.13 14.37 18.12
T6 FESO4@ 0.6% 5.73 7.74 16.37 19.85
T7 CUSO4@ 0.2% 6.13 8.13 17.81 20.97
T8 CUSO4@ 0.4% 5.75 7.76 16.62 20.23
T9 CUSO4@ 0.6% 5.12 7.49 15.53 19.45
  F-test S S S S
  S.Ed (±) 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.03
  CD at 5% 0.01 0.04 0.06 0.06
Table 2: Effect of Micronutrients on Plant spread (cm) of Petunia (Petunia hybrida) cv. Purple Star at different
intervals
Treatments Treatment Plant spread (cm)
symbols combination 30 DAT 60 DAT 90 DAT 120 DAT

T0 Control 10.28 23.63 46.53 58.59

T1 ZNSO4 @ 0.2% 16.39 34.26 58.48 70.21
T2 ZNSO4 @ 0.4% 16.25 33.67 57.42 69.39
T3 ZNSO4 @ 0.6% 18.75 36.58 60.72 72.41
T4 FESO4 @ 0.2% 15.40 31.58 54.72 66.63
T5 FESO4 @ 0.4% 13.51 26.58 49.24 61.72
T6 FESO4 @ 0.6% 14.16 29.06 52.04 64.35
T7 CUSO4 @ 0.2% 15.93 32.07 56.10 68.42
T8 CUSO4 @ 0.4% 14.64 30.04 53.13 65.53
T9 CUSO4 @ 0.6% 13.74 27.78 50.85 62.53
  F-test S S S S
  S.Ed (±) 0.10 0.11 0.13 0.10
  CD at 5% 0.22 0.22 0.28 0.22
Table 3: Effect of Micronutrients on Number of branches per plant of Petunia (Petunia hybrida) cv. Purple
Star at different intervals.
Treatments Treatment Number of branches per plant
symbols combination 30 DAT 60 DAT 90 DAT 120 DAT

T0 Control 3.42 7.32 11.42 14.44

T1 ZNSO4 @ 0.2% 8.41 15.33 18.12 21.42
T2 ZNSO4@ 0.4% 7.38 14.25 17.05 20.32
T3 ZNSO4@ 0.6% 8.74 15.66 18.45 22.13
T4 FESO4@ 0.2% 6.35 13.26 16.06 19.23
T5 FESO4@ 0.4% 4.28 8.36 12.31 15.75
T6 FESO4@ 0.6% 5.50 10.75 14.75 17.46
T7 CUSO4@ 0.2% 7.01 13.92 16.72 19.72
T8 CUSO4@ 0.4% 6.01 13.02 15.84 18.33
T9 CUSO4@ 0.6% 5.32 10.21 14.23 16.85
  F-test S S S S
  S.Ed (±) 0.03 0.01 0.005 0.01
  CD at 5% 0.06 0.02 0.011 0.03
 
Table 4: Effect of Micronutrients on Number of leaves per plant of Petunia (Petunia hybrida) cv. Purple Star at
different intervals
Treatments Treatment Number of leaves per plant
symbols combination 30 DAT 60 DAT 90 DAT 120 DAT

T0 Control 26.63 106.70 293.55 381.63

T1 ZNSO4 @ 0.2% 52.61 201.43 457.67 542.12
T2 ZNSO4 @ 0.4% 47.68 182.44 429.15 523.22
T3 ZNSO4 @ 0.6% 54.35 213.15 477.28 561.75
T4 FESO4@ 0.2% 42.43 178.92 417.15 516.59
T5 FESO4@ 0.4% 29.28 133.25 341.45 434.73
T6 FESO4@ 0.6% 39.12 156.79 397.62 492.37
T7 CUSO4@ 0.2% 39.25 174.52 401.54 509.72
T8 CUSO4@ 0.4% 40.02 175.55 405.16 513.42
T9 CUSO4@ 0.6% 30.22 139.52 368.74 462.65
  F-test S S S S
  S.Ed (+) 0.02 0.15 0.01 0.01
  CD at 5% 0.03 0.32 0.02 0.02
Table 5: Effect of Micronutrients on No. of days for first flower bud emergence of Petunia (Petunia hybrida)
cv. Purple Star at different intervals

Treatments symbols Treatment combination No. of days for first flower bud emergence
T0 Control 37.58
T1 ZNSO4 @ 0.2% 27.58
T2 ZNSO4 @ 0.4% 32.08
T3 ZNSO4 @ 0.6% 21.92
T4 FESO4 @ 0.2% 24.00
T5 FESO4 @ 0.4% 30.67
T6 FESO4 @ 0.6% 29.42
T7 CUSO4 @ 0.2% 26.25
T8 CUSO4 @ 0.4% 34.42
T9 CUSO4 @ 0.6% 31.58
  F-test S
  S.Ed (±) 0.15
  C.D. at 5% 0.31
Table 6: Effect of Micronutrients on No. of days required for 1st Flower opening of Petunia (Petunia hybrida)
cv. Purple Star at different intervals

Treatments symbols Treatment Combination No. of days required for 1st Flower Opening
T0 Control 49.25
T1 ZNSO4 @ 0.2% 36.25
T2 ZNSO4 @ 0.4% 41.25
T3 ZNSO4 @ 0.6% 30.83
T4 FESO4 @ 0.2% 32.25
T5 FESO4 @ 0.4% 38.25
T6 FESO4 @ 0.6% 37.25
T7 CUSO4 @ 0.2% 35.33
T8 CUSO4 @ 0.4% 42.50
T9 CUSO4 @ 0.6% 39.50
  F-test S
  S.Ed(±) 0.22
  C D at 5% 0.46
Table 7: Effect of Micronutrients on Flower stalk length (cm) of Petunia (Petunia hybrida ) cv. Purple Star at
different intervals.
Treatments symbols Treatment Combination Flower stalk length (cm)
T0 Control 4.68
T1 ZNSO4 @ 0.2% 6.78
T2 ZNSO4 @ 0.4% 6.62
T3 ZNSO4 @ 0.6% 6.72
T4 FESO4 @ 0.2% 6.52
T5 FESO4 @ 0.4% 6.38
T6 FESO4 @ 0.6% 6.24
T7 CUSO4 @ 0.2% 6.59
T8 CUSO4 @ 0.4% 5.44
T9 CUSO4 @ 0.6% 5.93
  F-test S
  S.Ed (±) 0.01
  C D at 5% 0.02
Table 8: Effect of Micronutrients on Fresh weight (g) of Petunia (Petunia hybrida ) cv. Purple Star at different
intervals.

Treatments symbols Treatment combination Fresh weight

T0 Control 0.86
T1 ZNSO4 @ 0.2% 1.07
T2 ZNSO4 @ 0.4% 1.05
T3 ZNSO4 @ 0.6% 1.16
T4 FESO4 @ 0.2% 1.01
T5 FESO4 @ 0.4% 0.91
T6 FESO4 @ 0.6% 0.97
T7 CUSO4 @ 0.2% 1.03
T8 CUSO4 @ 0.4% 0.99
T9 CUSO4 @ 0.6% 0.95
  F-test S
  S.Ed (±) 0.002
  CD at 5% 0.003
Table 9: Effect of Micronutrients on Dry weight (g) of Petunia (Petunia hybrida) cv. Purple Star at different
intervals.

Treatments symbols Treatment combination Dry weight

T0 Control 0.61
T1 ZNSO4 @ 0.2% 0.86
T2 ZNSO4 @ 0.4% 0.83
T3 ZNSO4 @ 0.6% 0.89
T4 FESO4 @ 0.2% 0.76
T5 FESO4 @ 0.4% 0.65
T6 FESO4 @ 0.6% 0.71
T7 CUSO4 @ 0.2% 0.80
T8 CUSO4 @ 0.4% 0.73
T9 CUSO4 @ 0.6% 0.70

  F-test S
  S.Ed (±) 0.001
  C D at 5% 0.003
Table 10: Effect of Micronutrients on Diameter of flowers (cm) of Petunia (Petunia hybrida ) cv. Purple Star at
different intervals

Treatments symbols Treatment combination Diameter of flower (cm)

T0 Control 8.42
T1 ZNSO4 @ 0.2% 9.05
T2 ZNSO4 @ 0.4% 8.96
T3 ZNSO4 @ 0.6% 9.26
T4 FESO4 @ 0.2% 8.77
T5 FESO4 @ 0.4% 8.64
T6 FESO4 @ 0.6% 8.82
T7 CUSO4 @ 0.2% 8.79
T8 CUSO4 @ 0.4% 8.88
T9 CUSO4 @ 0.6% 8.73
  F-test S
  S.Ed (±) 0.01
  C D at 5% 0.02
Table 11: Effect of Micronutrients on Flower length (cm) of Petunia (Petunia hybrida) cv. Purple Star at
different intervals

Treatments symbols Treatment Combination Flower length (cm)

T0 Control 5.06
T1 ZNSO4 @ 0.2% 7.70
T2 ZNSO4 @ 0.4% 6.98
T3 ZNSO4 @ 0.6% 7.47
T4 FESO4 @ 0.2% 6.59
T5 FESO4 @ 0.4% 5.48
T6 FESO4 @ 0.6% 6.34
T7 CUSO4 @ 0.2% 6.79
T8 CUSO4 @ 0.4% 6.41
T9 CUSO4 @ 0.6% 6.04
  F-test S
  S.Ed (±) 0.02
  C D at 5% 0.03
Table 12: Effect of Micronutrients on No. of flowers per plant of Petunia (Petunia hybrida ) cv. Purple Star at
different intervals.

Treatments symbols Treatment combination Number of flowers per plant

T0 Control 72.42
T1 ZNSO4 @ 0.2% 94.63
T2 ZNSO4 @ 0.4% 92.71
T3 ZNSO4 @ 0.6% 106.47
T4 FESO4 @ 0.2% 88.40
T5 FESO4 @ 0.4% 80.34
T6 FESO4 @ 0.6% 83.75
T7 CUSO4 @ 0.2% 89.62
T8 CUSO4 @ 0.4% 84.53
T9 CUSO4 @ 0.6% 82.17
  F-test S
  S.Ed (±) 0.03
  C D at 5% 0.05
Table 13: Effect of Micronutrients on Flower yield per plant (g) of Petunia (Petunia hybrida ) cv. Purple Star at
different intervals.
Treatments symbols Treatment Combination Flower yield Per plant (g)
T0 Control 57.43
T1 ZNSO4 @ 0.2% 104.53
T2 ZNSO4 @ 0.4% 98.75
T3 ZNSO4 @ 0.6% 122.35
T4 FESO4 @ 0.2% 87.30
T5 FESO4 @ 0.4% 69.73
T6 FESO4 @ 0.6% 76.22
T7 CUSO4 @ 0.2% 91.74
T8 CUSO4 @ 0.4% 81.78
T9 CUSO4 @ 0.6% 74.12
  F-test S
  S.Ed (±) 0.03
  C.D. at 5% 0.07
Table 14: Effect of Micronutrients on Flower yield per plot (g) of Petunia (Petunia hybrida) cv. Purple Star at
different intervals.
Treatments symbols Treatment Combination Flower Yield Per plot (g)
T0 Control 229.72
T1 ZNSO4 @ 0.2% 418.11
T2 ZNSO4 @ 0.4% 394.98
T3 ZNSO4 @ 0.6% 489.40
T4 FESO4 @ 0.2% 349.19
T5 FESO4 @ 0.4% 278.91
T6 FESO4 @ 0.6% 304.88
T7 CUSO4 @ 0.2% 366.97
T8 CUSO4 @ 0.4% 327.13
T9 CUSO4 @ 0.6% 296.48
  F-test S
  S.Ed (±) 0.12
  C.D. at 5% 0.26
Table 15: Effect of Micronutrients on Flower yield per ha (t) of Petunia (Petunia hybrida ) cv. Purple Star at
different intervals.
Treatments symbols Treatment Combination Flower yield Per ha (t)
T0 Control 2.30
T1 ZNSO4 @ 0.2% 4.18
T2 ZNSO4 @ 0.4% 3.95
T3 ZNSO4 @ 0.6% 4.89
T4 FESO4 @ 0.2% 3.49
T5 FESO4 @ 0.4% 2.79
T6 FESO4 @ 0.6% 3.05
T7 CUSO4 @ 0.2% 3.67
T8 CUSO4 @ 0.4% 3.27
T9 CUSO4 @ 0.6% 2.96
  F-test S
  S.Ed (±) 0.002
  C.D. at 5% 0.003
 Table 16: Details of Variable cost of Micronutrients.
Treatments Treatment Zinc, Iron ,Copper Fixed cost Total cost
symbols Combination
    Qty. Rate Variable cost    
    Kg/ha¯1 Rs kg¯1 Rs ha¯1 Rs ha¯1 Rs ha¯1

T0 Control - - - 64,900 64,900

T1 ZNSO4@ 0.2% 2 700 1400 64,900 66,300

T2 ZNSO4@ 0.4% 3 700 2100 64,900 67,000
T3 ZNSO4@ 0.6% 4 700 2800 64,900 67,700
T4 FESO4@0.2% 3 450 1350 64,900 66,250

T5 FESO4@0.4% 4 450 1800 64,900 66,700

T6 FESO4@ 0.6% 5 450 2250 64,900 67,150

T7 CUS04@0.2% 2 650 1300 64,900 66,200
T8 CUSO4@0.4% 3 650 1950 64,900 66,850
T9 CUSO4@0.6% 4 650 2600 64,900 67,500
Table 17: Economics of Different Treatments and Benefit: Cost Ratio of the treatment of Petunia (Petunia
hybrida ) cv. Purple Star.

Treatments Treatment Total cost of Flower Sale Rate Gross Net Profit Benefit
symbols combination cultivation yield (Rs./kg) return (Rs./ha) Cost
(Rs./ha) (Kg/ha) (Rs./ha ) Ratio
T0 Control 64,900 2300 30 69,000 4100 1.06
T1 ZNSO4@0.2% 66,300 4180 30 1,25,400 59100 1.89
T2 ZNSO4@0.4% 67,000 3950 30 1,18,500 51500 1.76
T3 ZNSO4@0.6% 67,700 4890 30 1,46,700 79000 2.16
T4 FESO4@0.2% 66,250 3490 30 1,04,700 38450 1.58
T5 FESO4@0.4% 66,700 2790 30 83,700 17000 1.25
T6 FESO4@0.6% 67,150 3050 30 91,500 24350 1.36
T7 CUSO4@0.2% 66,200 3670 30 1,10,100 43900 1.66
T8 CUSO4@0.4% 66,850 3270 30 98,100 31250 1.46
T9 CUSO4@0.6% 67,500 2960 30 88,800 21300 1.31
 EXPERIMENTAL FINDINGS

 The present study entitled "Effect of Micronutrients on growth and flower yield and flower quality of Petunia
(Petunia hybrida) Purple Star" was conducted in the Department Horticulture, Sam Higginbottom Institute of
Agriculture, Technology and Sciences (Deemed be-University), Allahabad during the winter season of 2019-2020.
 The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized block design with thirteen treatments and three
replications.
 The main findings of this experiment are summarized and concluded as follows:
 Maximum Plant heights (23.95cm) significantly was recorded in treatment T 3- ZNSO4 @ 0.6%, Followed by T1-
ZNSO4 @ 0.2% (22.73 cm). The minimum plant height (17.45 cm) was recorded with the treatment T 0- Control
respectively.
 Maximum spread of plant (72.41 cm) was recorded with treatment T 3-ZNSO4 @ 0.6% followed by T1-ZNSO4 @
0.2% (70.21 cm). The minimum plant spread (58.59 cm) was recorded with treatment T 0- Control respectively.
 Maximum number of branches per plant (22.13) was recorded in treatments T 3-ZNSO4 @ 0.6% followed by T1-
ZNSO4 @ 0.2% (21.42). The minimum branches per plant (14.44) was recorded with treatment T 0- Control
respectively.
 Maximum number of leaves per plant (561.75) was recorded in treatments T 3-ZNSO4 @ 0.6% followed by T1-
ZNSO4 @ 0.2% (542.12). The minimum leaves per plant (381.63)was founded the treatment T 0- Control
respectively.
 Number of days required for first flower bud emergence from transplanting (21.92 days) was recorded in treatment T 3-
ZNSO4 @ 0.6% followed by treatment T1-ZNSO4 @ 0.2% (24.00 days). The minimum number of days required for first
flower bud (37.58 days) was founded the treatment T0- Control respectively,
 Number of days required for first flower opening from transplanting (30.83 days) was recorded in treatment T 3-ZNSO4 @
0.6% followed by treatment T1-ZNSO4 @ 0.2% (32.25 days). The minimum number of days required for first flower opening
(49.25 days) was founded the treatment T0- Control respectively,
 Flower stalk length (cm) (6.78 cm) was significantly increase in treatment T 1-ZNSO4 @ 0.2% followed by treatment T3-
ZNSO4 @ 0.6% (6.72 cm). The minimum flower stalk length (cm) (4.68 cm) was recorded with treatment T 0- Control
respectively.
 Fresh and dry weight of flower (1.16 g and 0.89 g) was significantly increased in treatment T 3-ZNSO4 @ 0.6% followed by
treatment T3-ZNSO4 @ 0.6% (1.07 g and 0.86 g) respectively. The minimum fresh and dry weight of flower (0.86 g and 0.61
g) was recorded with treatment T0- Control respectively.
 Flower diameter (9.26 cm) was significantly increase in treatment T 3-ZNSO4 @ 0.6% followed by treatment T1-ZNSO4 @
0.2% (9.05 cm). The minimum flower diameter (8.42 cm) was recorded with treatment T 0- Control respectively.
 Flower length (cm) (7.70 cm) was significantly increase in treatment T 1-ZNSO4 @ 0.6% followed by treatment T3-ZNSO4 @
0.6% (7.47 cm). The minimum flower length (cm) (5.06 cm) was recorded with treatment T 0- Control respectively.
 Significantly maximum yield of flower per plant (122.35g) was recorded in treatment T 3-ZNSO4 @ 0.6% followed by
treatment T1-ZNSO4 @ 0.2% (104.53 g).The minimum yield of flower per plant (57.43 g) was recorded with treatment T 0-
Control respectively.
 Significantly increase in yield of flowers per plot (489.40 g) were recorded in treatment T 3-ZNSO4 @ 0.6% followed by
treatment T1-ZNSO4 @ 0.2% (418.11 g) per plot. The minimum yield of flower per plot (229.72 g) was recorded with
treatment T0- Control respectively.
 Significantly increase in yield of flowers per hectare (4.89 t) were recorded in treatment T 3-ZNSO4 @ 0.6% followed by
treatment T1-ZNSO4 @ 0.2% (4.18 t) per plot. The minimum yield of flower per hectare (2.3 t) was recorded with treatment
T0- Control respectively.
 Maximum gross return (Rs.1,46,700/ha) was recorded in treatment T 3-ZNSO4 @ 0.6% followed by treatment T1-ZNSO4 @
0.2% (Rs.1,25,400 /ha) and the minimum (Rs.69000 /ha) was recorded with treatment T 0- Control.
 Maximum net profit (Rs.79,000/ha) was recorded in treatment T 3-ZNSO4 @ 0.6% followed by treatment T1-ZNSO4@ 0.2%
(Rs 59,100./ha) and the minimum (Rs.4,100/ha) was recorded in treatment T 0- Control.
 Maximum cost: benefit ratio (2.16) was recorded in treatment T 3-ZNSO4 @ 0.6% followed by treatment T1-ZNSO4 @ 0.2%
(1.89).and the minimum recorded in T0-control.
 CONCLUSION

 On the basis of present investigation it is concluded that the application of treatment T 3-ZNSO4 @ 0.6%
found best in terms of growth, flower quality and flower yield, economics of treatments, Gross return, net
profit and Maximum Cost Benefit ratio (1:2.16) of Petunia followed by T1- ZNSO4 @ 0.2%.
 In terms of Flower stalk length (cm) and Flower length (cm) application of treatment T 1-ZNSO4 @ 0.2%
found best.
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LIST OF PHOTOGRAPHS

Seedlings of Petunia cv. Purple Star. for transplanting.

During Transplanting of Petunia cv. Purple Star in the Horticultural Research field
Field Inspection by Advisor V.M Prasad sir after Transplanting the petunia in the main field
Weighing of micronutrients for Treatment spray on analytical balance
Spraying Treatments spray i.e Micronutrients in the main field
Irrigating the plots with the Watering can in the main field
Field overview of petunia at flowering stage
During Picking of flowers in the main field
During the Field Visit by Advisor Dr. V.M. Prasad sir and Member Dr. Sameer E. Topno sir
While checking growth of plants and quality of Petunia flowers by Advisor Dr. V.M. Prasad sir and Member Dr.
Along with Advisor Dr. V.M. Prasad sir
Thank you