Impact of Organic and Inorganic Sources of Nutrients on Post Harvest Life of Cut Flowers of Hybrid Gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii B.) cv. Shimmer

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.