Performance of Chrysanthemum Cultivars under Agro-climatic condition of Chhattisgarh plains

ABSTRACT Chrysanthemum is the second largest flower after rose in the global ornamental plants market; It is third in terms of cut flower and ranks fifth in global floriculture trading. Therefore, floricultural study of chrysanthemum has gained widespread attention recently. As the state of Chhattisgarh is rising as a floral hub, we are propelled to determine suitable cultivars of chrysanthemum for different characters in Chhattisgarh plains. To this end, we conducted an experiment based on Randomized Block Design (under field condition) during the year 2016-2017, with seven cultivars of Chrysanthemum namely Pusa Sona, Pusa Arunodaya, Pusa Kesari, Pusa Chitraksha, Pusa Aditya, Mother Teresa, and White Prolific. Our results indicate that Pusa Sona exhibits the early bud appearance (32.80 days), early flowering (60.27 days), maximum number of flowers per plant (137.80), and maximum number of branches per plant (19.73). Further, maximum plant height (49.47 cm) and plant spread (32.63 cm) were observed in Pusa Chitraksha. While Pusa Kesari recorded maximum flower diameter (7.00 cm) and maximum weight of flowers per plant (177.50 g), the maximum flowering duration (59.40 days) was noted under Pusa Aditya. We are certain that these novel findings would help floriculturists’ decision making significantly regarding chrysanthemum plantation.