Evaluation of marigold genotypes under semi-arid conditions of Haryana

The study was conducted on performance of 30 genotypes of marigold under semi-arid climatic conditions of Haryana. Experiment was laid out in randomized block design (RBD) with three replications, at Research Farm of Department of Horticulture, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar during two winter season of 2011–12 and 2012–13. All the genotypes showed significant variations for growth, flowering and yield parameters. The genotype Hisar Jaffri-2 exhibited best performance in terms plant spread (77.72 cm), numbers of secondary branches per plant (150.97), number of buds per plant (217.10), duration of flowering (76.53 days) and flower yield per plot (20.99 kg). The genotype MGH-148-3-3 recorded maximum stem diameter (2.14 cm) and dry weight of plant (130.72 g), whereas it was minimum (0.61 cm and 9.91 g, respectively) in Hisar Beauty. Maximum diameter of flower (8.21cm) was recorded in MGH-09-276, while it was minimum (4.01 cm) in Hisar Jaffri-2. The maximum dry weight of flower (2.04 g) was recorded in MGH-09-271.