Performance assessment of chrysanthemum varieties under hilly condition of Uttarakhand

The present investigation was conducted to evaluate the performance of 11 chrysanthemum varieties on the basis of vegetative and floral attributes under hill conditions of Uttarakhnad. The results showed that with respect to vegetative attributes, Pusa Lohit exhibited tallest plants (56.36 cm), maximum plant spread (33.21 cm), number of leaves per plant (86.93±4.75) and leaf area (41.33 cm²). With respect to flowering attributes, earliest days taken to 1^st bud appearance (66.07), maximum flower diameter (8.06 cm) and individual flower weight (9.05 g) were recorded in Pusa Kesari. The maximum number of flowers per plant was recorded in Pusa Aditya (70.36), while longest flowering duration was recorded in Pusa Shwet (25.60 days). Ravi Kiran recorded the maximum number of ray florets per head (298.45) and longest shelf life (5.53 days), whereas Bidhan Mallika had the longest vase life (19.78 days). The maximum flower yield per plant and per plot was recorded in the Pusa Kesari (479.74 g and 5.76 kg, respectively). Therefore among all the varieties evaluated on an overall basis, Pusa Kesari, Pusa Lohit and Bidhan Mallika may be recommended for commercial cultivation and future breeding programme under hill condition of Uttarakhand.