Planting geometry and pinching in African marigold (Tagetes erecta L.)

Marigold (Tagetes erecta Linn)is an important commercial flower of India belonging to family Compositae. It is very popular due to easy to grow and wider adaptability. Flowers are sold in the market as loose or for making garlands. Flowers are traditionally used as offering in temples, churches and are used in festivals, beautification and landscape.Closer planting of marigold increased number of plants but produces poor quality flowers and wider spacing decreases number of plants and flowers which are not economical, therefore, appropriate planting geometry is needed. Pinching is an important cultural operation for plant growth and flower production in marigold, which delays flowering and enhances flower yield. Keeping in view the importance and uses of marigold and the role of spacing and pinching, the present experiment was conducted to assess the effect of spacing and pinching on vegetative growth, flowering behaviour and yield of marigold.