Impact of salicylic acid and kinetin on morpho-physiological traits, flowering patterns and seed yield in salvia (Salvia splendens)
Priyanka Kumari1,2, Thupten Tsomu2*, Anil K. Singh1, Ram Preet Singh4, Bilin Maying4 and Ampee Tasung4
1Department of Horticulture, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, Uttar Pradesh, India. 2Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Rajiv Gandhi University, Doimukh-791112, Arunachal Pradesh, India. 3College of Horticulture and Forestry, Pasighat-791102, Arunachal Pradesh, India. 4ICAR, NEH region, Basar 791101- Arunachal Pradesh, India. Corresponding e-mail: thupten.tsomu@rgu.ac.in
Abstract: A field experiment was carried out to study the effect of salicylic acid and kinetin on morpho-physiological, floral dynamics, and seed yield in salvia (Salvia splendens) at Banaras Hindu University Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India during 2021-22. A randomized block design (RBD) with three replications was used in the experiment. The treatments consisted of varying concentrations of salicylic acid (10 ppm, 20 ppm, 30 ppm, and 40 ppm) and kinetin (5 ppm, 10 ppm, 15 ppm, and 20 ppm) and a control of water spray only. Vegetative growth, flowering, and seed yield parameters were observed at 60 and 90 days after treatment (DAT). The ornamental value of plants was determined largely by plant growth regulators. Results showed that a 15 ppm kinetin spray enhanced plant height (75.34 cm) and plant spread (48.91 cm) at 90 DAT. Salicylic acid at 20 ppm gave the highest number of flower spikes per plant (93.33), number of flowers per plant (1746.00) and fresh weight of flowers (3.57 g). In addition, seed yield per plant (17.39 g) and test weight (2.94 g) were highest at 20 ppm salicylic acid. This study will help researchers understand how kinetin and salicylic acid affect plant growth.
