Effect of Substrates on Germination, Growth and Flowering of Different Winter Annuals

This study was conducted at Centre for Quality Plant Material, Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar during 2015-16 to 2017-18 to determine the effect of different substrates and their combinations on vegetative growth and flowering of winter annuals (Larkspur, Antirrhinum, California Poppy and Dahlia). Six types of substrates (cocopeat, perlite, vermiculite, vermicompost, Farm Yard Manure and send) were mixed by volume to create seven different treatments. The seeds were sown in the month of October in different treatments to record vegetative and floral parameters. The results showed that using substrate, that mixture of cocopeat with vermiculite and perlite following rate 3:1:1, gave higher and early germination and longer seedling length, seedling root length duration of flowering and earliest flowering and is found suitable for winter annuals nursery raising, vegetative growth and flowering.