Performance of chrysanthemum cultivars for growth and yield as affected by different planting months

Ten cultivars of chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflorum Tzvelev.) namely, Dundi, Accession No. 2, Chitradurga Local, Automn Joy, Garden Beauty, Accession No. 1, Winter Queen, Karnool, Raja and States Man were evaluated for the four different planting months to know the photoperiodic response at experimental field of Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, Kittur Rani Channamma College of Horticulture, Arabhavi (UHS, Bagalkot) during June, 2012 to April, 2013. The results revealed that all the cultivars planted at different planting months differed significantly with respect to growth parameters. The plants of June followed by August plantings had optimum vegetative growth, as the planting months advances results in reduction of vegetative growth. Cultivar Automn Joy recorded the maximum plant height (41.20 cm) followed by Winter Queen was (39.30 cm). Cultivar Karnool was recorded higher leaf area per plant of 3201.67 cm2 and Garden Beauty recorded higher number of secondary branches (8.82). The plants of Dundi were recorded higher plant spread (N-S direction) of 21.65 cm, followed by Automn Joy (21.14 cm), Winter Queen (20.49 cm), Raja (19.96 cm) and Accession No. 1 (19.68 cm). June month planting resulted maximum number of flowers per plant (115.89), flower yield per ha (19.30 t), larger flowers (5.41 cm) and heavier flower (1.73 g). The cultivars, Garden Beauty (15.73 t/ha), Dundi (13.46 t/ha), Karnool (13.16 t/ha) and Accession No. 2 (9.99 t/ha) found to be better for yields across the different months. However, the yield was drastically reduced in other cultivars planted in December except in Dundi and Garden Beauty. Among the two cultivars Dundi is accepted by growers for commercial consumption. On the basis of yield and quality cultivars Garden Beauty, Dundi, Karnool and Accession No. 2 were superior when planted in June.