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Plant Science Today (PST)

Research Articles

Vol. 12 No. sp4 (2025): Recent Advances in Agriculture by Young Minds - III

Optimisation of growing environment and potting media for enhanced growth and flowering performance of kalanchoe (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana Poelln.)

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.11991
Submitted
26 September 2025
Published
01-12-2025

Abstract

Kalanchoe blossfeldiana Poelln. is an important ornamental plant that requires proper growing conditions to achieve good quality and high yields. This study investigated the effects of different growing environments and potting media on the growth, flowering and physiological health of K. blossfeldiana. The experiment was conducted at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, over 90 days using a two-factor design with three replications. Two growing environments were evaluated: open field and shade-net house. Five different potting media were tested, each containing soil and coarse sand mixed with different organic materials: farmyard manure (FYM), leaf mould, vermicompost, rice husk and coir pith compost. Results showed that shade-net conditions significantly improved plant height (19.50 cm vs 17.89 cm), flower production (109 vs 97.27) and various physiological parameters compared to open field conditions. Among the potting media, coir pith compost consistently produced the best results, including the thickest leaves (1.64 mm), longest flower longevity (25.67 days) and superior root architecture. The combination of shade-net with coir pith compost produced the highest flower number (119.67), maximum plant growth (69.85 % biomass increase) and chlorophyll content (324.45 μg/g fresh weight). The present study demonstrates that cultivation of K. blossfeldiana under shade-net conditions supplemented with coir pith compost significantly enhances plant growth and quality, thereby improving its commercial value.

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