Evaluation of genotypes of French marigold (Tagetes patula L) under Nauni, Solan, Himachal Pradesh conditions

Abstract

The present investigations were conducted at the experimental farm of Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, Himachal Pradesh to evaluate the genotypes of French marigold (Tagetes patula L). The experiment was laid out in a randomization block design with three replications. Twenty five genotypes of French marigold were evaluated for various growth and yield parameters. Analysis of variance showed significant differences among all the genotypes for all the characters under study. Maximum plant height (68.80 cm) and flower weight (3.89 g) were obtained in genotype ms7 x Bonita Bolero. Genotype ms10 x Spray Boy recorded maximum plant spread (52.34 cm), number of flowers per plant (100.23), flower weight per plant (380.37 g) and flower yield per square meter (6.08 kg). The genotype ms6 x Spray Boy recorded maximum flower size (6.37 cm), minimum days taken to bud formation (28.91) and minimum days taken to flowering (36.94). Maximum duration of flowering was recorded for the genotype ms6 x FM-786 (62.00 days). Weight of flowers per picking, flower yield per square meter and flower weight exhibited high coefficient of variation, heritability and genetic gain. Flower yield per square meter had significant positive association with plant height, plant spread, duration of flowering, flower size, flower weight, number of flowers per plant and weight of flowers per picking. The genotypes ms10 x Spray Boy and mss x Spray Boy proved promising as they had many desirable traits.