IJCBS, 5(2014):6-10 Kashif et al., 2014 6 Efficacy of macro and micro-nutrients as foliar application on growth and yield of Dahlia hybrida L. (Fresco) Muhammad Kashif 1 , Komal Rizwan *2 , Muhammad Aslam Khan *1 and Adnan Younis 1 1 Institute of Horticultural Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan 2 Department of Chemistry, Government College University. Faisalabad, Pakistan. Abstract Dahlia (Dahlia hybrida) cv. Fresco is an ornamental plant that provides colourful flowers to landscape areas and flower gardens. A field study was conducted to evaluate the growth and yield response of Dahlia hybrida to four foliar fertilizer treatments, viz. T 0 , control (no foliar application of nutrients); T 1 , NPK (17:17:17); T 2 , NPK (15:32:7) + micro power); T 3 , NPK (15:32:7) + chelated mix micro-nutrients. The results endorsed the benefits of foliar fertilization by witnessing the improved growth traits of the plant. T 1 treatment significantly promoted the number of flower plant -1 , number of leaves plant -1 , diameter of bud, diameter of flower, fresh weight of flower and dry weight of flower of the dahlia. In addition to this, T 2 and T 3 improved the growth of the dahlia. T 2 treatment increased the leaf area, number of branches per plant, days to first flower emergence, blooming period and number of tubers per plant, while T 3 treatment improved the plant height and also length of the branches. The results regarding growth and yield showed a significant response to the foliar application of macro and micro-nutrients. It is confirmed from the results that combination of macro and micro-nutrients as foliar application enhanced the growth and yield of Dahlia hybrida positively. Key words: Dahlia hybrida, Macronutrients, Micro-nutrients, Foliar, Growth Full length article Received: 15-11-2013 Revised: 24-12-2013 Accepted: 15-01-2014 Available online: 31-01-2014 *Corresponding Author, e-mail: komal.rizwan45@yahoo.com ; rana21_pak@hotmail.com 1. Introduction Dahlia hybrida L. (Fresco) belongs to the Family Asteraceace. Dahlias are native to mountainous region of Mexico. It is estimated that around 1000 different varieties are being grown around the world [1-2]. This plant is a highly valued decorative flowering plant and provides variety of colours to landscape areas and flower gardens. It is commonly sown as bedding plant. Most of varieties are sown from seeds but the major cultivars are propagated by cuttings of stem or by tubers [3]. It is a perennial, with tuberous root system and it grows straight. Dahlia has different type of flowers, including; orchid, anemone and ball like forms. Dahlia provides a number of flower colors and it also have single flower with two colors. It is valued for different uses like a beautiful cut flower and garden displays [4]. Multinutrient foliar fertilization can be a useful method of providing balanced plant nutrition in horticulture [5]. Many studies have highlighted the benefits of foliar fertilization in improving plant growth, crop yield, nutrient uptake, and product quality and environmentally safe. This technique can ensures immediate translocation of nutrients to various plant organs via leaf tissues under various nutrient deficiencies [6-12]. Foliar application method can be another choice to the old soil fertilization method to keep away from the harm of fertilizers by leach down and thereby minimize the earth water contamination. According to literature survey, many reports are available about foliar fertilizers on many plants as chrysanthemum, rose, tuberose and iris plants [13-16]. As part of efforts to explore the various flora [17-19] the present research was carried out to evaluate the impact of foliar application of macro and micro-nutrients on growth, yield and development of Dahlia hybrida (Fresco). 2. Material and Methods The present study was carried out at Floriculture Research area, Institute of Horticulture Sciences, University of Agriculture Faisalabad (31°25’ N, 73°09’ E), during the session of 2011-2012 on decorative plant Dahlia hybrida L. (Fresco) where maximum average temperature 30±2°C and humidity 73% were recorded. The plant Dahlia hybrid was transplanted in soil in field area and grown up there. Present study was planned to monitor the effects of foliar application of macro and micro-nutrients on growth and flowering of Dahlia hybrida L. (Fresco). The NPK main International Journal of Chemical and Biochemical Sciences (ISSN 2226-9614) Journal Home page: www.iscientific.org/Journal.html © International Scientific Organization