1 Influence of organic nutrients and bio regulators on certain growth and flower quality attributes of celosia (Celosia cristata L.) Plant Archives Vol. 21, Supplement 1, 2021 pp. 2220-2223 e-ISSN:2581-6063 (online), ISSN:0972-5210 Plant Archives Journal homepage: http://www.plantarchives.org doi link : https://doi.org/10.51470/PLANTARCHIVES.2021.v21.S1.367 INFLUENCE OF ORGANIC NUTRIENTS AND BIO REGULATORS ON CERTAIN GROWTH AND FLOWER QUALITY ATTRIBUTES OF CELOSIA (CELOSIA CRISTATA L.) R. Sendhilnathan*, E. Balaraman, M. Rajkumar , R. Sureshkumar and T.R. Barathkumar Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar - 608002, Tamil Nadu, India. *Corresponding author e-mail ID: rs.nathanhorti@gmail.com ABSTRACT An experiment on the influence of organic nutrients and bio-regulators on certain growth and flower quality attributes of Celosia (Celosia cristata L.) was conducted in randomized block design at floriculture unit, Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai university, Tamil Nadu, India. The experiment consists of ten treatments comprised of organic manures viz., farmyard manure @ 20 t ha -1 , vermicompost @ 5 t ha -1 and poultry manure @ 10 t ha -1 along with bio regulators like panchagavya, humic acid and seaweed extract each @ 100 ppm was given as foliar application. Among the various treatments, application of vermicompost @ 5 t ha -1 along with panchagavya @ 100 ppm was significantly increased the growth parameters viz., plant height (cm) at 60 and 90 DAT, number of laterals shoots at 60 and 90 DAT, number of leaves at 60 and 90 DAT, leaf area (cm 2 ), stem girth (cm), internodal length (cm). Flower quality parameters viz, Days taken for first flowering (days), duration of flowering (DAT), number of flower per plant, single flower weight (g), flower head width (cm), chlorophyll content (CCI) and dry matter production (g plant -1 ) was achieved in Celosia. From the experiment, the results showed that application of vermicompost @ 5 t ha -1 with combination of panchagavya @ 100 ppm had significant effect in performance of Celosia on growth and flower quality parameters. Keywords: Vermicompost, Panchagavya , Celosia cristata Introduction Floriculture is a branch of horticulture concerning cultivation of flowering and ornamental plants for gardens and floristry. It includes loose flowers, cut flowers, cut greens, bedding plants, house plants, flowering garden and potted plants etc. The celosia (Celosia cristata L.) a C 3 plant, is one of the most versatile annual herbaceous plants belongs to the Amaranthaceae family and is of tropical origin. Celosia or Cockscomb is grown for ‘loose flower’ and it is popular for dry flower and for garden land making. Though not fragrant, the flowers are very popular due to their attractive colour, light weight and good keeping quality. Earlier, it was exclusively used for bedding purpose alone in ornamental gardens, but at present, it also cultivated as a commercial loose and cut flower for internal market. Dwarf varieties of celosia serves as an attractive border in flower gardens all varieties of this flower crop may be used as a flower. It has the habit of profuse flowering, short duration to produce marketable flowers, wide spectrum of attractive colours, shape and size and good keeping quality, attracted the attention of producers and traders (Okusanya,1980). The celosia flower in combination with jasmines and tuberoses are becoming very popular in garland making in southern parts of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andra Pradesh. Celosia is commercially cultivated in number of districts in Tamil Nadu by traditional method and the average yield of flower head range from 4 to 4.5 t ha -1 . The production of economical yield and better quality of celosia flowers requires proper crop management techniques. Crop regulation and flower forcing are important techniques to make the celosia production profitable. In order to meet the demand for fresh flowers several effects are carried out by the scientists to increase the production through improved management techniques. Integrated systems of flower producer are less dependent on intensive management. Organic manure has received considerable attention by the farmers as a source of nutrients for enhanced plant growth and productivity. They help in supplying a balanced nutrition of the growing plants and improve the production and quality of crop. Bio regulators are the organic chemical compounds which modify or regulate physiological process in an appreciable measure in plants when used in small concentrations. The use of bio regulators with recommended horticultural practices in specific cultivars seems to be novel theme of modifying plant for sustained production. They are readily absorbed and move rapidly through tissues when applied to different parts of the plant. Hence, strategies such as application of organic manures along with foliar application of bio regulators are essential to improve the growth continuously. By considering these facts, an field experiment were carried out with the following specific objectives in order to study the effect of organic nutrients and bio regulators on growth and flower quality of celosia (Celosia cristata L.).