M. B. ALAM1*, M. H. AKAND2, M. A. RAHMAN3, S. PARVIN4 and N. AMIN5
1Upazila Agriculture Officer, Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), Sandwip, Chittagong, 2Professor, Department of Horticulture, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, 3Senior Scientific Officer, RARS, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Rahmatpur, Barisal, 4Addictional Deputy Director, DAE, Khamarbari, Dhaka and 5Addictional Deputy Director, DAE, Manikgonj, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
*Corresponding author’s Email: basirul_alam@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
An experiment was conducted in Horticulture Farm, Department of Horticulture, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, Bangladesh during May to December 2011 to study the effects of different plant spacing and plant growth regulators on growth, bulb and flower production of tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa L.). Three plant spacing viz., S1: Closest spacing (10 × 15 cm); S2: Intermediate spacing (15 × 15 cm) and S3: Widest spacing (20 × 15 cm) and four levels of GA3 viz., G1: 0 ppm GA3 (Control: no GA3 was used), G2: 240 ppm GA3, G3: 260 ppm GA3 and G4: 280 ppm GA3 were examined under this study. Plant spacing and GA3 significantly influenced the growth and yield of tuberose. Yield was gradually increased with the increasing level plant spacing. The widest plant spacing resulted in the highest bulb yield (9.61 t/ha) and flower yield (10.19 t/ha) whereas, the closest plant spacing produced the lowest. Plant growth regulator (GA3) had also significant influence on the yield of tuberose. The moderate level of GA3 (260 ppm GA3) performed the highest bulb (9.81 t/ha) and flower (11.60 t/ha) production. In respect of combined effect, the widest plant spacing (20 × 15 cm) with the moderate level of GA3 (260 ppm GA3), produced the highest (9.71t/ha) yield of bulb and flower (10.89 t/ha).The lowest was recorded from the treatment combination of S0G0. Considering above findings the widest plant spacing (20 × 15 cm) with the highest level GA3 (260 ppm GA3) can be used for tuberose cultivation.
Keywords: Plant spacing, Growth regulator, Bulb, Flower yields and Tuberose.