Response of Cymbidium Pine Clash Moon Venus to major nutrient at vegetative growth stage

Abstract

An experiment was conducted during 2007-08 and 2008-09 to standardize the major nutrient requirement of Cymbidium "Pine Clash Moon Venus" at vegetative growth stage under polyhouse condition. The various growth parameters namely leaf length and width, pseudobulb length and girth and number of pseudobulb per clump were recorded highest in the treatment T4 (N30: P10: K10) for young Cymbidium (during first year) while for intermediate growth of Cymbidium (during second year), the fertilizer dose of T2 (N20: P20: K20) was best among the different doses of NPK. The fertilizer dose N30: P10: K10 recorded 10 and 14.6 % increase in leaf length and width, 12 and 6.4 % increase in pseudobulb length and girth, 42.9 % increase in number of pseudobulb per clump, respectively over control during first year. However, the treatment N20: P20: K20 showed 14.5 and 12.92 % increase in leaf length and width, 27.3 and 6.6 % increase in pseudobulb length and girth, 55.6 % increase in number of pseudobulb per clump, respectively over control during second year. The pH of the leachate significantly decreased with increasing doses of NPK throughout the sampling date. The electrical conductivity of the leachate was more during winter season (November to February), compared to other season and significantly increased over control with increasing doses of NPK throughout the crop growth period under study.