Evaluation of Marigold Varieties for Growth and Quality Parameters

The present study was carried out in Northern Dry Zone of Karnataka during the 2024–25 at the Experimental Farm of the Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, College of Horticulture, University of Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot, to evaluate the performance of seven marigold varieties: M Yellow, Girland, Arka Pari, Pusa Narangi Gainda, Pusa Basanti Gainda, Arka Shubha, and Arka Abhi. The trial followed a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications, and data were collected on various growth and quality parameters. Among the varieties assessed, Pusa Basanti Gainda demonstrated the best overall performance. It recorded the greatest plant height (86.67 cm), widest plant spread (East-West: 71.33 cm; North-South: 78.69 cm), and highest number of branches per plant (12.83). It also showed the maximum stem girth (25.75 mm), individual flower weight (8.85 g), and flower diameter (55.42 mm). Notably, it had the longest shelf life (5.50 days), enhancing its market value. These results indicate that Pusa Basanti Gainda is particularly well-suited for cultivation in the Northern Dry Zone of Karnataka, offering high potential for commercial floriculture in regions with similar climatic conditions.