Evaluation of French Marigold (Tagetes Patula Linn.) and Wild Marigold (Tagetes Minuta Linn.) Under Submountainous Tarai Conditions

A study was conducted atG.B.P.U.A.&T., Pantnagar, during 2002–2003 to evaluate the germ plasm of marigold (Tagetes spp). Seeds of 13 germplasm of Tagetes patula (TP₁ to TP₁₃) and two of Tagetes minuta (TM₁ and TM₂) were first raised in nursery beds and after one month transplanted to the field for evaluation study. Among these germplasm, TP₇ germplasm of Tagetes patula exhibited better performance in terms of diameter of flower and yield of flowers/plant. It ranked second in length of peduncle and fresh weight of individual flower. Maximum seed weight/peduncle was recorded with TP₃, whereas TP₁₂ germplasm exhibited maximum seed yield/plant. Both the germplasm of Tagetes minuta i.e., TM₁ and TM₂ resulted in maximum vegetative growth in terms of number of leaves, number of secondary branches/plant, leaf area and leafs biomass.