{"references": ["ABBASI, N.A., ZAHOOR,S., NAZIR, K.: Effect of Preharvest Phosphorus and Potassium Fertilizers and Postharvest AgNO3 Pulsing on the Postharvest Quality and Shelf Life of Zinnia (Zinnia elegans cv. Blue point) Cut Flowers. International Journal of Agriculture and biology: 130-131, 2004.", "BALOCH, Q.B., CHACHAR, Q.I., PANHWAR, U.I.: Effect of NPK fertilizers on the growth and flower production of Zinnia (Zinnia eleganas L.). Journal of Agricultural Technology 6(1): 193-200, 2010.", "BELORKAR, P.V., PATEL, B.N., GOLLIWAR, V.J., KOTHARE, A.J.: Effect of nitrogen and spacing on growth, flowering and yield of African marigold. J. Soils and Crops, 2: 62\u201364, 1992.", "BOODLY, J.W., MEYER,J.R.: The nutrient content of Bonnaffomdeltue chrysanthemum from juvenile to mature growth. American Soc. Hort. Sci., 87: 472\u2013478, 1965.", "EL-AZIZ, N.G.A.: Stimulatory Effects of NPK fertilizer and Benzyladenine on Growth and Chemical Constituents of Codiaeum variegatum L. Plant. American Euroasin J. Agric. & Environ. Sci. 2 (6): 711-719, 2007.", "HENRY, D.: Effect of potassium on plant growth. J. Orn. Hort. Sci., 6: 320\u2013321, 1982.", "JAVID, Q.A., ABBASY, N.A., MUGHAL, A.L.,HAFIZ, I.A.: Performance of Zinnia (Zinnia elegans) \"Dahlia Flowered\" Crimson Shade by Application of NPK Fertilizer. International Journal of Agriculture &Biology :475-481, 2005.", "KHOSA, S.S, YOUNIS, A., RAYIT, A., YASMEEN, S., RIAZ A.: Effect of Foliar Application of Macro and Micro Nutrients on Growth and Flowering of Gerbera jamesonii L. American-Eurasian J. Agric. & Environ. Sci., 11 (5): 736-757, 2011.", "MARK, A.S., ELLIOTT, G.C., BRISGEN, M.P.: Calcium and nitrogen fertilization of Alstroemeria for cut flower production. Hort. Sci. 33(1): 55-58. 1998.", "MAYNARD, A.A.: Reducing fertilizer equipmeny in cut flower production, Biocycle 44(3): 43-45, 2003.", "PAL, P., GHOSH, P.: Effect of different sources and levels of potassium on growth, flowering and yeald of African marigold (Tagetes erecta Linn.) cv. 'Siracole' . Indian Journal of Natural Products and Resources, 1 (3), 371-375, 2010."]}

This research was conducted in order to determine optimal combination of NPK fertilizer to obtain high yield, good quality of flowers and high decorativeness. The experiment was set at the research field Rimski Šančevi, Faculty of Agriculture, Novi Sad in 2014 year. The seedlings were produced in the greenhouse and the young plants were implemented in the open field. The experiment included three treatments with 30 replicate plants per treatment. Four treatments were applied: 'Ferticare' 14-11-25 with microelements (S, Mg, Fe, Mn, B, Cu, Zn, Mo, Co), 'Kristalon Special'™ 18 + 18 + 18 (+ 3Mg), 'Kristalon Brown™' 3 + 11 + 38 (+4 Mg) and control. Fertilizers were applied over the soil in certain concentrations. During the plant development following characteristics of zinnia have been monitored: plant height (cm), number of lateral shoots, number of leaves per plant, leaf length (cm), number of flowers per plant and dry and fresh root weight (g). It was observed that plants treated with fertilizer 'Ferticare' showed highest number of lateral shoots, highest foliar weight and a maximum root system weight. Plants treated with 'Kristalon Special' had the largest number of flowers per plant. Plants treated with 'Kristalon Brown' achieved greatest values of plant height. Fertilizer 'Ferticare' showed the best effects on plant decorativeness.