Effect of gibberellic acid and salicylic acid on the postharvest quality and seed characteristics of French Marigold (Tagetes patula L.) cv. Pusa Arpita

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out during the winter season of 2021-22 at the Horticulture Research Block, Janta Vedic College, Baraut, Baghpat, to evaluate the effect of exogenous application of gibberellic acid (GA₃) and salicylic acid (SA) on the postharvest quality and seed attributes of French marigold (Tagetes patula L.) cv. Pusa Arpita. The experiment comprised eight treatments and one control, laid out in a randomized block design. The treatments consisted of varying concentrations of GA3 (100 ppm and 150 ppm) and SA (150 ppm and 300 ppm), applied both individually and in combination. Results indicated significant improvement in flower diameter, fresh and dry weight of flowers, shelf life, seed yield per plant and 1000 seeds weight across treatments compared to the control. The combined application of GA₃ and SA i.e. T7 (GA₃150 ppm + SA 150 ppm) recorded the highest values for flower diameter (4.53 cm), fresh weight of flower (4.68 g) and dry weight of flower (0.89 g), whereas treatment T8 (GA₃150 ppm + SA 300 ppm) recorded maximum shelf life (5.50 days), seed yield per plant (4.76 g) and 1000 seeds weight (2.84 g). The individual application of GA₃ (150 ppm) or SA (300 ppm) also demonstrated significant improvements compared to the control, albeit less pronounced than the combined treatments. The study concludes that the combined effect of GA₃ and SA effectively enhances both postharvest flower quality and seed attributes in French marigold cultivation, suggesting potential strategies for optimizing growth regulator applications to improve ornamental and seed production traits.