DOSE-DEPENDENT EFFECTS OF AMINO-ACID APPLICATION ON AGRONOMIC GROWTH AND FLOWERING PERFORMANCE OF CELOSIA ARGENTEA L.

Abstract

Amino-acid-based biostimulants are increasingly recognized as promising inputs for improving plant growth and flowering in ornamental crops. However, their effects on the agronomic and floral performance of Celosia argentea L. remain insufficiently documented. Therefore, the present study evaluated the effects of different amino-acid application levels on germination, vegetative growth, flowering, and floral characteristics of C. argentea. Plants were subjected to four treatments

: T1 (control), T2 (amino acid 6 mL), T3 (amino acid 12 mL), and T4 (amino acid 18 mL). Germination percentage, days to flower initiation, number of leaves, side branches, plant height, stem diameter, number of flowers per plant, flower diameter, flower stalk length, and flower fresh and dry weight were recorded. Germination was high, reaching 98% under the experimental conditions. Amino-acid application significantly improved most vegetative and flowering traits compared with the control. Treatment T4 produced the highest number of leaves (15.75 plant⁻¹), side branches (10.00 plant⁻¹), plant height (16.60 cm), and stem diameter (5.62 cm). It also promoted earlier flower initiation (7.00 days) and produced the highest number of flowers (2.75 plant⁻¹), flower diameter (8.45 cm), flower stalk length (5.90 cm), and fresh flower weight (15.92 g). Correlation analysis showed strong positive relationships among vegetative growth and floral characteristics, indicating that improved vegetative development was associated with enhanced flowering performance and flower biomass. Overall, amino-acid application, particularly T4, substantially improved the growth and flowering performance of C. argentea under the conditions of this study. These findings demonstrate the potential of amino-acid biostimulants for enhancing ornamental quality and productive performance.