Response of an elite cultivar of zinnia (Zinnia elegans cv. Giant Dahlia Flowered) to varying levels of nitrogenous fertilizer.

摘要

The vegetative and floral characteristics of Zinnia elegans cv. Giant Dahlia Flowered were studied in 2004 in the floriculture research area of the Institute of Horticultural Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan, in response to nitrogen application (0, 33, 67 and 100 kg/ha). The maximum growth rate (6.49 cm/week), plant height (51.53 cm), number of lateral shoots per plant (7.39), size of lateral shoots (25.02 cm) and leaf area (20.5 cm2) were recorded in plants supplied with 100 kg N/ha. The maximum leaf N percentage (2.6%), number of flowers per plant (15.62) and maximum flower diameter (7.99 cm) were recorded in plants that received 67 kg N/ha. Application of 100 kg N/ha delayed flower initiation in treated plants compared to those receiving lower fertilizer levels. Flowers of excellent quality were produced when supplied with 67 and 100 kg N/ha. Nitrogen at 100 kg/ha promoted vegetative growth, while the moderate dose (67 kg N/ha) improved floral characteristics (such as the number of flowers per plant, flower diameter and leaf N percentage) in Giant Dahlia Flowered cultivar.