Morphological characterization of chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflora Tzvelev) genotypes under central dry zone of Karnataka

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to investigate the morphological characterization of chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflora Tzvelev) genotypes under central dry zone of Karnataka. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications. Among the sixteen genotypes studied there were wide and highly significant variations observed for various growth, flowering and yield parameters. The result showed that among the 16 genotypes evaluated the genotype Lakkundi recorded maximum plant height (69.87 cm), stem girth (6.72 mm) and internodal length (4.86 cm). The genotype Chandani recorded maximum plant spread both at E-W (47.27 cm) and N-S (50.20 cm) direction, number of primary (23.67) and secondary (36.80) branches per plant, number of nodes per plant (15.53), number of leaves per plant (720.67), leaf area per plant (18718.33 cm2), leaf area index (9.22), number of flowers per plant (692.40), flower yield per hectare (41.01 t/ha). The genotype Marigold recorded maximum leaf length (11.64 cm), leaf width (10.12 cm), least number of days taken for first flower appearance (77.33 days), minimum number of days taken for 50 per cent of flowering (100.67 days) and longest flowering duration (126.67 days). The genotype White Prolific took significantly maximum duration of crop (248.00 days). The genotype White Seventige exhibited maximum flower diameter (6.46 cm). The genotype Star Pink recorded highest individual flower weight (6.26 g). From this study it was observed that genotype 'Chandani' 'Marigold', 'Basanthi', 'Lakkundi' and 'Arka Chandrakanth' might be exploited commercially for loose flower production under central dry zone of Karnataka.