Performance of Mesta (Hibiscus spp.) genotypes under rainfed conditions in the northern transition zone of Karnataka

A field experiment was conducted to study the performance of Mesta genotypes under rainfed conditions for three rainy seasons. The experiment comprised of 11 genotypes, of which nine genotypes (HS-4288, HS-7910, AS-73-CP-560, AMV-1, AMV-2, AMV-3, AMV-4, HS-1 and HS-2) belonged to Hibiscus sabdariffa L. and two genotypes (HC-583 and AMC-108) belonged to H. cannabinus L. The results indicated that among the genotypes AS-73-CP-560 recorded significantly higher fibre yield over the rest of the genotypes except HS-2 and HS-4288 which were at par. HS-2 and AS-73-CP-560 were significantly superior in seed yield over the rest of the genotypes except, HC-583, HS-4288 and AMV-4 which were at par. Whereas, AMV-1, AMV-2 and AMC-108 recorded significantly lower seed yield. A significantly higher fibre equivalent yield was recorded by AS-73-CP-560 and HS-2 over the rest of the genotypes. At harvest genotypes, AS-73-CP-560 and HS-2 were found superior and recorded significantly higher plant height over other genotypes except for AMV-3, AMV-4, HS-1, HS-4288 and HS-7910 which were at par. HS-2 and AS-73-CP-560 were significantly superior in fresh weight of stem over the rest of the treatments, except AMV-4 and HS-4288 which were at par. The total dry weight of stem was significantly higher with AS-73-CP-560 over the rest of the genotypes except HS-2, HS-4288, AMV-4, AMV-2, AMV-3 and HS-1 which were at par. The varieties belonging to H. cannabinus i.e., HC 583 and AMC-108 were found suitable for the vegetable type and showed earliness as compared to the rest of the genotypes belonging to H. sabdariffa.