Effect of manure fertilizer and spacing on growth, yield and quality of zinnia flowers

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of treatments with manure fertilizer and spacing on growth and quality of Zinnia elegans flowers. Zinnia is a popular garden annual flower. The results revealed that, application of sources of manure promoted growth of Zinnia elegans. It gave the highest values of growth. Addition 300kg/fed manure gave the best vegetative growth of Z. elegans. compared to 150kgs manure. High doses of both urea and manure delayed flowering in plant Z.elegans. Moreover, flowers yield and quality, seed yield and quality were affected positively by addition of manure. Increasing of plant spacing decreased plant height but increased number of branches/plant in the season. However, there were no significant effects on flower initiation of Z elegans. Maximum flowers yield and quality (number of flowers /plant or inflorescences, flower diameter and flower age) of Zinnia were recorded at spacing of 30and 40cm.Maximum number of seeds germination rate and uniformity of Zinnia elegans were recorded at closer spacing (20,30cm).