Studies on growth and assessment of flower quality and yield performance of Ornamental sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) genotypes

A study was conducted in the experimental block of College of Horticulture, Mysuru, to evaluate genotypes of sunflower suitable for Ornamental use from various sources. At 20 DAS, maximum plant height was recorded in RCR-94 (31.07 cm). At 40 DAS, the genotype RCR-93 (67.73 cm) exhibited maximum plant height. At 60 DAS, the genotype RCR- 94 (137.36 cm) showed maximum plant height followed by Tobias (124.54 cm) and Vincent(121.17 cm). Plant spread at east-west direction (E-W) was highest in RCR-93 (39.73 cm² at 20DAS. At 40 DAS, Tobias (64.47 cm²) recorded maximum plant spread at E-W direction. At 60 DAS, highest plant spread was seen in RGM-49 (95.53 cm²) followed by PM-81 (86.20 cm²) and RCR-72 (85.87 cm²). At 40 days after sowing Red Giant (20.93) recorded higher number of leaves per plant. At 40 days after sowing, maximum leaf area index was recorded by Sungold Mix (1.32). RCR-91 (15.73) produced maximum number of branches at 40 days after sowing. R- 630 (578.67) produced maximum number of flower heads per plot followed by RCR-97 (566.67), Sunflower Sungold (468.00), Sungold Mix Open Pollinated (448.00) and PM-81 (425.33). Less number of flower heads per plot was recorded in Vincent (73.33). Genotype RCR- 97 (12.36) and R-630 (12.05) produced significantly large number of flower heads per ha. Sunflower Miniature (42.40 g) recorded significantly highest fresh flower weight. Highest cumulative water uptake (CWU) was recorded in genotype R-630 (48.53 g) and RCR-94 (42.73). Minimum cumulative water loss was recorded in Vincent (31.93 g) and RCR-97 (33.07 g). R- 127-1 (20.67 g) recorded minimum transpiration water loss. Higher water balance was recordedin RCR-94 (30.47 g). In the present investigation, higher number of flowers may be due to increased morphological parameters of the plant which lead to production of more photosynthesis. Such variation may be due to genetic makeup of the genotypes.This variation and divertity in characters can be utilized for future breeding programmes to develop innovative ornamental sunflower lines suitable for present trend in ornamental floriculture industry.