Vol. 10, Special Issue 1, Part C (2026)

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of integrated nutrient management (INM) on growth, flowering, yield, and postharvest performance of Italian aster (Aster amellus L.) cv. Purple multipetal at the Floricultural Research Station, Agricultural Research Institute, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, during September 2017 to January 2018. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with eight treatments comprising different combinations of inorganic fertilizers, organic manures (farmyard manure and vermicompost), and bio-fertilizers (Azospirillum and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria), replicated thrice. Results revealed that INM treatments significantly influenced flowering and yield attributes of Italian aster. Among the treatments, application of 50% RDF + 50% RDF through vermicompost + Azospirillum + PSB (T₇) resulted in earliest flower bud initiation (69.66 days) and 50% flowering (81.73 days). The same treatment also recorded significantly higher number of flowers per plant (92.80 and 300.33 at 90 and 120 DAP), number of flowers per spike (181.00), number of spikelets per spike (35.20), flower spikes per plant (4.20), spike yield per plot (105.00), and spike yield per hectare (4.66 lakh ha⁻¹). Maximum flower spike length (54.28 cm at 120 DAP) was also observed under T₇, followed by T₈ (50% RDF + 50% RDF through FYM + Azospirillum + PSB). The superior performance under integrated application may be attributed to enhanced nutrient availability, improved soil health, increased microbial activity, and growth-promoting substances produced by bio-fertilizers. The study clearly demonstrates that combined application of organic manures, bio-fertilizers, and reduced levels of chemical fertilizers is an effective, eco-friendly, and sustainable approach for improving productivity and quality of Italian aster under commercial floriculture.