Abstract

A two years field experiment to study the effect of bulb density, nitrogen application time and deheading on the growth and bulb yield of daffodil cv. Tunis was conducted during winter seasons of 2009 to 2010 and 2010 to 2011 on silty clay loam soil, low in available Nitrogen, medium in available phosphorus and potassium with neutral pH. The study revealed that the bulb density at 15.0 t ha^-1 proved significantly superior recording higher values of growth characters and resulted in 30.30 and 57.47% higher bulb yield than 12.50 and 10.00 t ha^-1, respectively. Application of nitrogen in two splits at 1st week of March and April significantly improved the growth characters and registered 9.88 and 21.56% higher bulb yield than single split of nitrogen at 1st week of March, respectively. Deheading at tight bud stage did not affect the top growth characters viz., number and dry weight of leaves and leaf area however, significantly improved bulb dry weight and increased the bulb yield by 5 to 15 % over no deheading. Bulbs planted at 15.0 t ha^-1 and supplied with Nitrogen in 2 splits at 1st week of March and April followed by deheading at tight bud stage recorded the highest benefit cost of Rs 0.51(per rupee) and net returns of Rs 6, 30,508.0 ha^-1.

Key words: B.C ratio, bulb weight, nitrogen splits, deheading, tight bud stage.