Abstract
The study was undertaken to investigate the effect of foliar application of different micronutrients (B, Zn & Fe;
0.5%, 1.5% and 1%, respectively) on plant growth and flowering of three rose (Rosa hybrida L.) cultivars viz.
Kardinal, Amalia and Rosy Cheeks. Nutrients were applied alone and with different combinations after 6, 8 and 10
weeks of pruning. Plant height, number of leaves branch-1, leaf area, number of flowers plant-1, flower stalk length
and leaf Zn contents were maximum with B + Zn application followed by only B application which also resulted
early flower production as compared to rest of the treatments while bud diameter, flower diameter, as well as
fresh & dry weight of flowers were maximum with B application alone followed by combination of B + Zn
application. Leaf chlorophyll contents, Flower quality, flower stalk diameter and Leaf B & Fe contents were highest
when plants were sprayed with combination of all micronutrients. Plants without micronutrients application
produced poor quality vegetative growth and less number of flowers. Regarding cultivars, Rosy Cheeks
responded well to micronutrients as compared to Amalia and Kardinal. It is concluded that application of
micronutrients could help better to improve flower yield and quality of roses.
