Varietal evaluation of African marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) under Chhattisgarh plain

Abstract

The present investigation entitled “Varietal evaluation of African marigold (Tagetes erecta) under Chhattisgarh plain” was conducted for field observation at Pt. KLS College of Horticulture and Research Station, Rajnandgaon (C.G.) during the summer year of 2024-25. The investigation was carried out in Randomized Block Design with eight Varieties with three replications. Majority of the varieties showed significant positive variation for growth, flowering, yield and quality parameter. The plant height was recorded maximum in T4- Pusa Basanti at 30, 60 and 90 DAT (48.00 cm, 76.07 cm and 81.60 cm)respectively. The plant canopy spread was recorded maximum in T6- Calcutta Gainda at 30, 60 and 90 DAT (E-W) (N-S),(20.67cm, 37.30cm and 45.17cm), (19.87cm, 39.07cm and 45.66cm) respectively. The number of leaves per plant was recorded maximum in T6- Calcutta Gainda at 30, 60 and 90 DAT, (21.26, 57.97 and 118.60) respectively. The number of primary branch at 30 DAT was recorded T5- Arka Bhanu- F1 (3.20), While at 90 DATwas recorded maximum in T6- Calcutta Gainda (11.87) whereas secondary branch was recorded maximum inT6- Calcutta Gainda at 60 and 90 DAT (14.63 and 37.34). The stem diameter was recorded maximum inT6- Calcutta Gainda (1.50cm).Earliest days taken to first bud appearance was recorded in the T3- Orange bunch (52.90). Days taken to 50 percent flowering was recorded in the T3- Orange bunch (75.23). Maximum flower diameter (cm), fresh flower weight (g) and dry flower weight (g) was recorded by T5- Arka Bhanu-F1 (6.18cm, 5.79g and 1.49g) respectively. The number of flowerper plant were recorded maximum byT6- Calcutta Gainda (53.98).Maximum weight of flower per plant (g) was recorded by T5- Arka Bhanu-F1 (281.85g).Maximum weight of flower per plot (kg) was recorded by T5- Arka Bhanu-F1 (13.78kg). Maximum flower yield per hectare (tonne) was recorded by T5- Arka Bhanu-F1 (23.47t). Maximum chlorophyll pigment was recorded in variety T6-Calcutta Gainda (5.89mg).