*
The present investigation was carried out with 9 cultivars of Dahlia variabilis L. at Horticulture Farm, Department of Horticulture, RCA Campus, MPUAT, Udaipur during rabi season 2006–08 to evaluate the cultivars for vegetative, floral and relative economic parameters. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications by planting 12 plants per replication and data were recorded on 5 plants for various vegetative growth parameters. The data were analysed by analysis of variance technique. The maximum value for plant height at 30, 60, and 90 days after transplanting were recorded in cv. Blackout (8.61 cm), DRS (27.71, 52.86 cm) respectively. The maximum number of leaves at 30, 60 and 90 days after transplanting were obtained in cv. NT Pompon (10.1, 22.87) and Jyotsna (58.13). While, maximum plant spread were recorded in Jyotsna for North- South (55.10 cm) and East-West (52.23 cm), similarly number of lateral shoots (6.07), number of sprays (11.67), number of tubers per plant (6.73) in NT Pompon. Minimum days required for flower bud initiation (81.60 DAT) and bud break (22.40 DAI) were recorded in cultivar Jyotsna and complete flower opening (6.30 DAB) was recorded in cultivar Korean Yellow. The maximum flowering duration (90.73 days) was recorded in cultivar NT Pompon. The maximum freshness of flower (7.73 days) on plant under open field condition was recorded in cultivar NT Pompon. The maximum number of flowers per plant (60.40), flower diameter (19.66 cm) and average weight of flower (62.69 g) were recorded in cultivar NT Pompon, Korean Yellow and Blackout respectively. In cultivar NT Pompon minimum flower diameter (11.20 cm) and flower weight (17.77 g per flower) were recorded. The maximum flower weight per plant (1072.56 g) was recorded in cultivar NT Pompon. On the basis of data recorded for vegetative, floral and relative economic parameters cv. NT Pompon for cut flower and Jyotsna were found best for exhibition/standard purposes under Udaipur condition.
