Effect of planting time and pinching on flower quality of annual chrysanthemum

Abstract

The field experiment was carried out at Horticulture section, Rural Institute, Pipri-Wardha (Maharashtra), India; with objective to find out effect of planting time and pinching on flower quality of Annual Chrysanthemum. Treatments comprising five planting times viz. 15th September, 1st October, 15th October, 1st November and 15th November and four pinching treatments viz. No pinching, pinching at 30 DAT, pinching at 45 DAT and pinching at 30 and 45 DAT during the year 201o-11 and 2011-12. Among the planting times, 15th October planting resulted in significantly maximum weight of flower, diameter of fully opened flower, diameter of flower disc, length of pedicel, longevity of intact flower and vase life. Single pinching at 30 days after transplanting improved weight of flower, diameter of fully opened flower, diameter of flower disc and longevity of intact flower, whereas more length of pedicel was registered in no pinching. Double pinching 30 and 45 days after transplanting registered more vase life.