Evaluation of China aster (Callestephus chinensis (L.) ness) genotypes under hill zone of Karnataka

An experiment was carried out at College of Horticulture, Mudigere, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, during 2002–2003, to study the performance of China aster (Callistephus chinensis (L.) ness) genotypes under hill zone of Karanataka. The genotypes viz., Poornima, Shashank, Kamini, Violet Cushion and Local Types were selected, cultivacs Poornima and Shashank were vigorous in terms of plant height. Minimum plant height was recorded in Violet Cushion followed by Local Type. Whereas, maximum number of branches, leaves and flowers were recorded in cv. Violet Cushion. While minimum no. of branches, leaves and flowers were recorded in cv. Local type. The maximum number of flowers and highest flower yield was obtained in cv. Shashank (50.22 and 9.51 tonne/ha), the cv. Poornima produced least number of flowers (45.30) and flower yield (5.03 tonnes/ha) followed by Local Type. Correlation studies indicated that among 10 characters studied in five genotypes, highly significant varietal differences were noticed in respect to all characters. Flower yield per plant was significantly and positively associated with plant spread, number of branches and number of leaves per plant.