Evaluation of chrysanthemum genotypes (Dendranthema grandiflora) for loose flower production

Abstract

Twenty-five genotypes of chrysanthemum were evaluated for loose flower yield under open field conditions in a Completely Randomized Block Design during the year 2023-24. Significant variation was observed among the genotypes for vegetative, floral and yield parameters. Among the genotypes evaluated, ‘Decoction Yellow’ recorded significantly highest plant height (52.50 cm) followed by ‘HYDC-31’ (48.50 cm), but significantly maximum plant spread was observed in the genotype ‘HYDC-31’ (48.66 cm) and was found at par with ‘Decoction Yellow’ (45.52 cm). Among the different genotypes evaluated ‘BC-611’ recorded significantly maximum number of primary and secondary branches per plant (7.33 and 13.56 respectively), ‘CO-3’ recorded significantly maximum stem diameter (7.38 mm), ‘Poornima Yellow’ recorded significantly highest number of leaves per plant (218.50), ‘Pusa Centenary’ recorded significantly highest leaf length (7.53 cm) and was found at par with ‘Aparajitha’ (7.48 cm) and ‘Winter Queen’ (7.11 cm), whereas ‘Aparajitha’ recorded significantly highest leaf width (4.58 cm). Among the genotypes, ‘Paragon Yellow’ recorded significantly earliest flower bud appearance (66.67 days), whereas ‘Rupanjali’ recorded significantly late flower bud appearance (93.50 days). ‘HYDC-30’ recorded significantly early in reaching to 50% flowering (111.5 days), whereas ‘Halvid’ recorded significantly highest number of days (148.00) to 50% flowering. Significantly earliest flower harvest was noticed in ‘Sugandha Yellow’ (93.00 days), whereas ‘Halvid’ recorded significantly highest number of days to first harvest of flowers (166.50 days). Among the genotypes, ‘Local Button’ recorded significantly highest number of flowers per plant (132.83). Significantly maximum flower weight was observed in ‘PAU-B-107’ (2.84 g) and was found at par with ‘DFR-C-4’ (2.74 g). Maximum flower diameter was observed in ‘Winter Queen’ (5.57 cm) followed by ‘HYDC-31’ (5.22 cm). Maximum loose flower yield per plant, per plot and per hectare were observed in the genotype ‘Gouri’ (133.44 g, 3.20 kg and 55.60 q respectively) followed by ‘Chandrika’ (122.05 g, 2.92 kg and 50.85q respectively). Significantly highest shelf life of flower was observed in ‘HYDC-30’ (7.83 days).