Evaluation of zinnia (Zinnia elegans L.) genotypes for germination and seedling growth attributes under the southern transitional zone of Karnataka

The present investigation entitled "Evaluation of Zinnia (Zinnia elegans L.) Genotypes for Germination and Seedling Growth under the Southern Transitional Zone of Karnataka" was conducted during 2026 at the Department of Floriculture and Landscaping, School of Post Graduation Studies, Iruvakki, Keladi Shivappa Nayaka University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Shivamogga, Karnataka. The experiment was carried out to evaluate the germination behaviour and seedling growth performance of different genotypes of Zinnia elegans under nursery conditions. Fourteen zinnia genotypes were evaluated in a Completely Randomized Design with three replications. Observations were recorded on germination parameters such as days taken to 50 per cent germination and germination percentage, along with seedling growth parameters including days taken to reach two-leaf, four-leaf and six-leaf stages. At the six-leaf stage, seedling vegetative parameters such as seedling length, leaf length, leaf width, shoot length and root length were also recorded to assess the vigour and early growth performance of the genotypes. The results revealed that the genotypes significantly influenced germination and seedling growth parameters. The earliest 50 per cent germination (3.00 days) was recorded in genotypes of the Zesty series, while relatively delayed germination (4.00 days) was observed in Double Zahara genotypes and Zinnia Purple. The highest germination percentage (97.90%) was recorded in Zinnia Zesty Pink (T₇), followed by Zinnia Zesty Fuchsia (T₁₂) (95.00%). Among the seedling vegetative growth parameters, the maximum seedling length (7.13 cm) and shoot length (4.03 cm) were recorded in Zinnia Zesty Fuchsia (T₁₂), whereas the highest leaf length (3.03 cm) was observed in Zinnia Zesty Orange (T₆) and maximum leaf width (2.63 cm) in Zinnia Zesty Yellow (T₁₁). The highest root length (10.56 cm) was recorded in Zinnia Zesty Pink (T₇). The results indicated that the Zesty series genotypes performed better in terms of germination, seedling vigour and vegetative growth. Among the genotypes evaluated, Zinnia Zesty Fuchsia (T₁₂), Zinnia Zesty Pink (T₇) and Zinnia Zesty Orange (T₆) exhibited superior performance and were found suitable for nursery production and cultivation under the agro-climatic conditions of the Southern Transitional Zone of Karnataka.