Comparative performance of gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii Bolus ex Hooker F.) cultivars under naturally ventilated polyhouse

The study was conducted at Saidapur Farm in Hi-tech Floriculture Unit, Main Agricultural Research Station, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, during 2004–05. Among the 11 cultivars studied, there was a significant variation for various growth, cut flower yield and quality parameters. The cv. Lexus (38.82) produced maximum number of quality cut flowers followed by Alberino (37.20), Scilla (36.95) and Bonnie (31.26). The same cultivars also produced the longest stalk, bigger sized flowers and number of ray florets apart from vegetative parameters like more number of leaves per plant, plant spread, suckers production, leaf area and leaf area index. The cv. Lexus realized maximum net return of Rs. 2,70,672 in 560m2 area with a B: C ratio of 2.65 followed by Alberino (Rs. 2,55,120; 2.50), Scilla (Rs. 2,52,720; 2.48) and Bonnie (Rs. 1,98,096; 1.94) compared to other genotypes studied.