A field experiment was carried out during the rabi seasons of 2023–24 and 2024–25 at the Precision
Farming Development Centre (PFDC), Water Technology Centre, at ICAR-IARI, New Delhi. The
research focused on investigating the impact of various irrigation and fertigation management practices
on flower quality, cut flower yield and soil nutrient status of chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium
ramat.) cultivars. The experiment was laid out in a split-split plot design with three factors: two cultivars
(autumn pink and autumn white), three irrigation levels (0.5 Epan, 0.75 Epan and 1.0 Epan), and three
fertigation schedules (50%, 75%, and 100% recommended dose of fertilizers). Based on the Royal
Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart classification, the Autumn Pink (V1) variety consistently
exhibited 65 C (Pale Purplish Pink) across all irrigation and fertigation levels, while Autumn White (V2)
maintained 157 D (Greenish White). The observed stability in flower colour suggested that genetic factors
primarily control floral pigmentation, with minimal environmental influence under the applied treatments.
Similarly, the treatment combination V2I2F3 (Autumn White + Irrigation at 0.75 Epan + 100% RDF)
consistently achieved the highest number of cut flowers per ha (i.e 488,975.21 flowers/ha), hence
resulting in higher gross returns, net returns and overall profitability. Pertaining to soil physical and
chemical parameters the pH was 7.65 with 0.29 dS m -1 EC and 0.43% organic carbon, 125.66
kg/ha, 26.55 kg/ha and 281,41 kg/ha available N, P 2 O 5 and K 2 O, suggested that optimum
supplementation of nutrients were essential to improve the inflorescence traits, yield and soil nutrient
status of chrysanthemum.