Influence of various concentrations of gibberellic acid (GA3) and spraying frequencies on growth, yield and post-harvest parameters of China aster [Callistephus chinensis (L.) Nees.]

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of foliar application of GA3 at three different concentrations, viz., 50, 100 and 150 ppm with two spray frequencies (twice and thrice) on three varieties of China aster, i.e., Shashank, Arka Archana and Arka Aadya. The study was conducted at the Department of Floriculture and Landscaping, College of Agriculture, O.U.A.T., Bhubaneswar during 2016-17 in order to establish the effect of foliar application of gibberellic acid (GA3) on the growth, flowering, yield and shelf life of China aster. Plants of variety Arka Archana produced the highest leaf area and maximum flower stalk girth. However, variety Arka Aadya produced plants with maximum stem girth, flower diameter, fresh and dry weight of flower and duration of shelf life. Application of GA3 @ 150 ppm sprayed twice resulted in maximum leaf area, stem girth and girth of flower stalk. GA3 at 50 ppm concentration when applied thrice resulted in maximum flower diameter, maximum fresh weight and dry weight of flower. Thrice application of GA3 at 100 ppm recorded the best results with respect to the shelf life of flowers. Interaction of varieties with treatments was found to be significant for most of the parameters except shelf life of flowers.