Evaluation of China Aster [Callistephus chinensis (L.) Nees.] Genotypes for Vegetative, Flowering, Yield and Postharvest Life

An experiment was carried out with 42 genotypes of China aster to evaluate the performance for vegetative, flowering, yield and postharvest life, in RBD with two replications, during two consecutive years 2015–16 and 2016–17 at Division of Floriculture and Medicinal Crops, ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru. Significant differences were recorded for all the traits among 42 genotypes. The genotype IIHRG13 recorded maximum plant height (61.80 cm), duration of flowering (34.40 days) and vase life (9.50 days), while, maximum shelf life (4.42 days) was recorded in IIHRH3. The Phule Ganesh Pink recorded maximum plant spread (42.15 cm) and flower diameter (6.74 cm). Maximum number of leaves per plant (32.35) and number of branches per plant (17.60) was recorded in Phule Ganesh Purple and IIHRE10, respectively. Early flowering was recorded in Matsumoto Red (46.85 days), whereas, it was delayed in Phule Ganesh White (100.15 days). Maximum stalk length was recorded in IIHRCC39 (49.10 cm), however, Arka Poornima recorded highest 100 flower weight. Highest number of flowers per plant was recorded in Local White (65.05), while, flower yield per plant was recorded highest in IIHRC42 (235.21 g). On the basis of overall performance genotypes IIHRCC39, IIHRI69-2, IIHRG13 and IIHRJ3 were found promising for cut flower and IIHECC42 for loose fl ower.