Varietal Evaluation of Gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii) Grown in a Polyhouse

A study was carried out from October, 2013 to February, 2015 at the Horticulture Research Station, Mondouri, of Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya under subtropical plains, to evaluate the growth and flowering of 11 cultivars of Gerbera under polyhouse (Stanza, Inferno, Preintense, Brilliance, Balance, Paradisi, Goliath, Walhalla, Rosalin, Jaffna, Daneallean).Among the varieties studied, there were highly significant variations observed for growth, yield and quality parameters. The vegetative parameters studied were Individual Plant height, No. of leaves per clump, and Individual Leaf length; the flowering parameters recorded were Days to first flower bud emergence, Days to flower harvest, Self-life, Flower diameter, Floral disc diameter, and the yield and quality parameters measured were Individual Stalk length, Number of flowers per plant, and Individual Vase life. Among the cultivars studied, there were highly significant variations observed for growth, yield and quality parameters, as per indication of the results. The results were analyzed statistically using RBD (Randomized Block Design). Under the warm humid subtropical climate of West Bengal, the maximum no. of leaves (36.47) was produced by Balance, maximum growth in plant height (55.52 cm) was observed in Stanza while the maximum leaf length (33.81 cm) was recorded in Stanza. Among the cultivars, Inferno produced largest flowers with average diameter of 10.27 cm. In terms of flower disc diameter, the highest measure was observed in Jaffna at 2.41 cm. The shortest duration to reach harvest maturity (17.61) was observed in Daneallean. As per observation, Preintense showed the longest field life (23.84 days). Regarding the yield and quality parameters, the maximum no. of flowers (13.88) was produced by Stanza and Rosalin. The highest stalk length (58.83 cm) was found in Preintense. The cultivar with longest vase life (15.97 days) was Rosalin On the overall basis; the best performing cultivars have been Stanza, Rosalin, Preintense and Inferno respectively.