The present investigation was carried out to study the performance of gerbera varieties growing in naturally ventilated polyhouse in Lucknow. Seven varieties viz., Salvadore, Silvester, Goliath, Zingaro, Sunway, Dana Ellen and Rosaline were grown on same type of growing media comprising soil and sand: FYM: rice husk (2:1:1) ratio. Planting was done in beds (26.0 × 0.75 × 0.60 m) in two rows (0.30 x 0.30 m) at a distance of 0.30 m between plants. Plant growth parameters and flower characteristics were evaluated. The results revealed that the variety Rosaline recorded maximum plant height (33.67 cm), number of leaves/plant (31.33), leaf length (21.67 cm), leaf breadth (10.33 cm) and number of suckers/plant (11.00) followed by Dana Ellen and Silvester. Rosaline recorded minimum days (45.00 days) for bud initiation and days taken to first flower since planting (52.67 days) followed by Dana Ellen. Highest values for stalk length (61.00 cm), flower stalk diameter (1.99 cm) and flower diameter (11.63 cm) were recorded in Rosaline.
Evaluation, Gerbera, Naturally ventilated, Performance, Polyhouse
