African marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) is one among the important traditional loose flowers grown in India. It is grown for its spectacular flowers, brilliant colour, and delightful appearance, myriads of size, shapes and forms. Flowers are extensively used for making garlands, floral rangoli and decoration purpose and as loose flowers in one or other forms for religious offerings and social functions. Marigold growth and flowering can be altered through application of various growth regulators. Hence, an experiment was conducted to study the influence growth hormones in enhancing the growth and flower yield of African marigold in the farm of B. T. College, Madanapalle, Andhra Pradesh. The experiment was laid out in Factorial Randomized Block Design along with nine treatments and replicated thrice. The study comprising GA₃ @ 100 and 150 ppm, NAA @ 100 and 150 ppm, MH @ 500 and 750 ppm, Alar @ 300 and 400 ppm and pinching with untreated control. Results of the experiment revealed that the plant sprayed with of GA₃ @ 150ppm was found most effective as it registered the maximum plant height (69.09 cm), number of branches (15.80), leaf area (111.7 cm2) and diameter of fully opened flower (9.26 cm), number of flowers (31.83), single flower weight (11.54 g) and flower yield of 367.3 g per plant. Thus the present investigation clearly indicates that plant sprayed with of GA₃ at 150 ppm proved to be best treatment in improving the vegetative growth and flower quality in African marigold var. Pusa Basanti.

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