Effect of different planting dates and pinching on growth and flowering of China aster

Abstract

A field investigation was carried out at Floriculture Unit, Department of Horticulture, Dr. PDKV, Akola during the years, 2017-18 and 2018-19 in Factorial Randomized Block Design. Experiment comprising two factors i.e. factor “A” which consists of different planting dates (D) viz. 1st September, 15th September, 1st October and 15th October and factor “B” consists of different pinching (P) viz. no pinching, single pinching at 20 DAT and single pinching at 30 DAT with 12 treatment combinations and replicated thricely. The results of the experiment revealed that, in respect of growth parameters viz. number of primary branches, number of secondary branches, plant spread, leaf area and stem diameter were observed maximum in 15th September planting date and single pinching at 20 DAT treatment. However, plant height was obtained in 15th September planting date and no pinching treatment. In respect of flowering parameters, minimum days for emergence of first flower bud, days required to full opening of flower from bud initiation, days for 50 per cent flowering and days to first harvesting were recorded in 15th September planting date and no pinching treatment. However, maximum duration of flowering was obtained in 15th September planting date and single pinching at 20 DAT during both the years of the experimentation.