Evaluation of gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii Bolus ex Hooker F.) genotypes under mid hill conditions of Garhwal Himalayas

An investigation was carried out to evaluate the performance of 13 genotypes of gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii Bolus ex Hooker F.) under polyhouse conditions in the mid hill conditions of Garhwal Himalayas. Significant differences were studied for all the characters. The results revealed that Fiction attained the maximum plant height (48.40 cm) and plant spread (49.43 cm). Maximum number of suckers per plant (3.46) was found in Red Explosion. Sunglow produced maximum number of leaves (26.33), longest leaf (47.40 cm), broader leaf (14.43 cm), longest stalk (70.04 cm), flower diameter (11.45 cm), heaviest weight of flower with stalk (26.39 g) and longest ray floret (5.36 cm). Leaf area was maximum in Loveliness (150.39cm2). Sunglow took minimum duration (51.24 days) for first bud appearance. Minimum duration (22.28 days) required for achieving marketable stage of flowers was found in Excellence and Entourage (23.58 days), maximum number of cut flowers per plant (14.44) was produced by genotype Loveliness. Maximum vase life (16.13 days) in water and (21.31 days) in holding solution was recorded by Essence and Red Explosion respectively. Essence was obtained maximum aggregate sensory scores (18.00).