Evaluation of statice (Limonium sinautum L.) varieties for optimum flower yield, quality and vase life

Present experiment was carried out at the Horticultural Research and Extension Station Kanabargi Belagavi, from 2014–2017 to evaluate the performance of nine collections of annual statice under open field conditions. These collections of annual statice were grown at a spacing of 60 cm × 45 cm. The pooled results of three years for vegetative and flowering parameters revealed the highest plant height for C₃ (Lavender; 21.16 cm)) followed by C₇ (White; 15.82 cm). The highest leaf area was observed in the collection C₇ (White) with 1842.24 cm² and C₅ (Apricot) with 1715.78 cm². The earliest flowering was observed in C₉ (Yellow) which took 92.00 days to flower after planting. The longest spike length (62.02 cm) and the maximum spike girth (0.58 cm) was observed in C₇ (White) and C₃ (Lavender), respectively. The yield of marketable flowers was highest in C₇ (White) producing about 4.08 lakhs spikes per ha. The longest vase life was observed in C₃ (Lavender) with a duration of 13.64 days. This study indicated the suitability of C₃ (Lavender) and C₇ (White) for cultivation in Northern traditional zone of Karnataka under open conditions.