RESPONSE OF AN ELITE CULTIVAR OF ZINNIA ( Zinnia elegans cv. GIANT DAHLIA FLOWERED) TO VARYING LEVELS OF NITROGENOUS FERTILIZER

67 and 100 kg ha -1 ) under natural agro-climatic conditions of Faisala bad. Maximum growth rate (6.49 cm week -1 ), plant height (51.53 cm), number of lateral shoots per plant (7.3 9), size of lateral shoots (25.02 cm) and leaf area (20.5 cm 2 ) was recorded in plants supplied with 100 kg N ha -1 . Leaf N %age (2.6), maximum number of flowers per plant (15.62) and maximum flower diameter (7.99 cm) was recorded in plants which rec eived 67 kg N ha -1 . Application of nitrogen @ 100 kg ha -1 delayed flower initiation in treated plants than those receiving l ow levels of this fertilizer. Flowers of excellent quality were produced when supplied with 67 and 100 kg N ha -1 . Nitrogen application @ 100 kg ha -1 promoted vegetative growth while moderate dose (67 kg N ha -1 ) improved floral characteristics such as number of flowers per plant and flower diameter alongwith le af N %age in Zinnia cv. Giant Dahlia flowered.