Effect of Different Growing Media on the Growth and Development of Zinnia (Zinnia elegans) under the Agro-Climatic Condition of Jiroft

Zinnia elegans, an annual flowering plant of the genus Zinnia, is one of the best known zinnias. Present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of different growing media on the growth and flowering of Zinnia elegans. Seven different growth media including coconut compost, silt, soil loam, leaf manure, (leaf manure+silt; 2:1), (coconut compost+soil loam; 1:1) and (leaf manure+soil loam+silt; 1:1:1) were used for growing Zinnia. The experiment was laid out in Complete Randomized Design (CRD) giving equal importance to treatments. Number of flowers, length of lateral branches, number of lateral branches, stem diameter, plant height (cm), diameter of flower, vase life (day) and fresh and dry root, shoot and total were determined. The present study confirms the fact that selection of the appropriate medium of growth for potted flowering plants in this case Zinnia elegans was very important from aesthetic and marketing point of view. The medium must ensure the production of plants of the required quality on cost effective basis. In the present study, leaf manure produced significantly the maximum vase life and diameter of flower while the maximum vase life and diameter of flower was obtained with mix (coconut compost+soil loam; 1:1). Key words: Media, vase life, number of flowers, Zinnia INTRODUCTION Zinnia is a wonderful summer annual flower which is gaining rapid popularity for its variety of colorful blooms. It belongs to family Compositae. It is native to Mexico and Central America. Zinnia flowers exhibit bright, uniform colors, sturdy stems with disease resistant plants and along vase life (Dole, 1999). Increasing awareness of environment-related issues, as well as the need to dispose of and use rising amounts of waste along with the need to reduce the consumption of nonrenewable resources like peat have encouraged the use of composted organic biomass in agriculture. In Iran, Zinnia is grown in many types of soils, soil mixtures, or mixtures of organic matter and materials without soil that may include sand, peat, perlite, bark and wood chips, sludge, or composted leaves. The growing media should be porous, uniform in texture, hold sufficient moisture and should be well drained. Commercial mixtures are often used because they are sterilized, ready to use and may even contain some fertilizer (Hochmuth et al., 1996). Different growing media can be used to grow Zinnia while, the physical and chemical properties of media, like structure, texture, pH as well as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are the dominant factors for the growth and development of plant. Composition and nutritional status of the medium is 302

Media, vase life, number of flowers, Zinnia