Responses of plant growth regulators on China aster (Callistephus chinensis)

Study the responses of plant growth regulators on China aster (Callistephus chinensis) a field experiment was carried out during winters of 2016-17 at Horticulture Research Farm, Department of Horticulture, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. China aster is cultivated as cut flower both in the field and under protected condition in temperate countries, whereas, in India, it is widely grown in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Maharashtra for cut as well as loose flower production. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with seven treatments and four replications comprising two levels of GA3 (75 and 150 ppm), Alar (300 and 600 ppm) and BA (20 and 40 ppm) with Control. All variables regarding growth and flower yield were significantly influenced by different concentrations of the treatments. Among all the treatments GA3 (150 ppm) resulted in maximum plant height (34.56 cm and 69.77 cm after 30 and 60 days of planting respectively), number of branches/plant (11.90 and 14.00 after 30 and 60 days of planting respectively), leaf area (53.16 cm2) and flower yield (244.26 g/plant). Maximum leaf length (6.80 cm) and leaf width (5.60 cm) recorded under the treatments GA3 (75 ppm) and BA (40 ppm) respectively and also observed the highest return in terms of Rupees, cost of different treatments, net return due to treatments and net profit over control was found best in treatment T2 (GA3 150 ppm).