Comparative Evaluation of China Aster Varieties in the Wayanad District of Kerala, India
Safia N.E *
Extension Training Centre, Manjeshwar, Vorkady, 671323, India.
Manjusha M.R
College of Agriculture, Ambalavayal, India.
Simi S.
College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Trivandrum, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
China aster holds a selective position among the diverse array of commercial flower crops due to its beauty, elegance, varied forms and appealing colour ranges. The farmers lack awareness regarding the cultivation and market demand for China aster. China aster can be utilized to adorn interiors, create bouquets, and distinctive garlands, contributing to an overall aesthetics in landscape gardening. In order to increase the cultivation, the experiment was conducted during 2019-20, at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Wayanad and the main aim of the study was to investigate the performance of various genotypes of china aster in Wayanad district. As per the observation number of flowers per plant and branches was the highest in the variety Arka Archana (78.10) (18.26). Arka Aadya showed minimum days of flowering (111.25 days) and the maximum days (142.54 days) was recorded in variety Arka Poorima. The yield was the highest in Arka Archana (170 q/ha) followed by Arka Aadya (130 q/ha) the variety.
Keywords: Aster, commercial flower, cultivars, wayanad