Growth and flowering response of China aster (Callistephus chinensis L. Nees) cv. Phule Ganesh Purple to plant growth retardants

The present investigation was carried out to study the growth and flowering response of China aster (Callistephus chinensis L. Nees) cv. Phule Ganesh Purple to plant growth retardants. The results revealed that the application of PP₃₃₃ @ 2.0 ml/l i.e. T₁₂ recorded maximum reduction in plant height (25.2 cm) and early emergence of flowers (46.1 days) which was at par with treatment T₇ (Chlorocholine chloride 2.0 ml/l). The China aster plants had maximum number of leaves (37.7), leaf area (44.6 cm²), maximum flower diameter (5.5 cm), maximum weight of ten flowers (27.3 g), longest stalk (13.6 cm), maximum shelf life (19.7 days) and vase life (10.7 days) under treatment T₇ (Chlorocholine chloride 2.0 ml/l). On the other hand this treatment also produced maximum flowers per plant (49.7) as well as yield of flowers per hectare (10.7 tonne).