Influence of varieties and spacing on growth, yield and quality of China aster

Abstract

An investigation on “Response of varieties and spacing on growth, flower yield and quality of China aster” was carried out during rabi season of the year 2023-2024 at Horticulture Section, College of Agriculture, Nagpur. The treatments comprised of three varieties of china aster as a main factor viz., V1 (Phule Ganesh Violet), V2 (Phule Ganesh Pink) and V3 (Phule Ganesh Purple) and four levels of spacing as sub factor viz., S1 (30×20 cm), S2 (30×30 cm), S3 (30×45 cm) and S4 (45×45 cm) with twelve different treatment combinations. The experiment was laid out in a Factorial Randomized Block Design with three replications. The result of the present study indicated that, vegetative growth parameter, viz., plant spread, number of branches plant-1, number of leaves plant-1 and leaf area at 50% flowering were found maximum in the variety Phule Ganesh Violet (V1) and spacing and S4 (45 cm × 45 cm). flower yield plant-1 was found in the treatment of V2 (Phule Ganesh Pink) and S4 (45 cm × 45 cm). In quality parameter, maximum weight of flower, flower head diameter, vase life, shelf life of flowers were recorded in the Phule Ganesh Pink variety (V2) and 45 cm × 45 cm spacing (S4). An interaction effect of number of branches plant-1and shelf life of flower were found to be significant.