Performance of China aster varieties and their response to different levels of nitrogen

Abstract

A field experiment entitled “Performance of China aster (Callistephus chinensis Nees.) varieties and their response to different levels of nitrogen”, was conducted during rabi seasons of 2005-06. In the experiment there were twenty four treatments, i.e. six varieties viz., Kamini (V1), Poornima (V2), Phule Ganesh Pink (V3), Phule Ganesh White (V4), Phule Ganesh Violet (V5) and Phule Ganesh Purple (V6) and four levels of nitrogen (0, 100, 200 and 300 kg ha-1), each treatments replicated thrice in Factorial Randomized Block Design. It was found that the, variety Phule Ganesh White was found superior in all growth parameters, which produced significantly highest plant height (44.63 cm), and maximum primary branching (15.55), but maximum plant spread (35.66 cm2) was recorded in variety Phule Ganesh Pink. Highest fresh and dry weight of plant was recorded in Phule Ganesh Purple. Variety Phule Ganesh White was also recorded maximum number of days to open first flower (80.58 days), highest number of flowers per plant (30.54), and highest yield of flowers (151.39 kg ha-1). Highest nitrogen content at final harvest (1.68 %) and highest nitrogen uptake at harvest (117.17 kg ha-1) was recorded in variety Phule Ganesh White. All the vegetative characters were greatly influenced by nitrogen at 300 kg ha-1. It had recorded highest plant height (40.08 cm), plant spread (31.28 cm), number of primary branches per plant (13.93), fresh weight (200.30 g) and dry weight of plants (76.60 g). Highest level of nitrogen (300 kg N ha- 1) also significantly influenced the flowering parameters and yield attributes i.e. maximum number of days to open first flower (68.48 days). But, maximum number of flowers per plant (24.02), and yield of flowers (127.42 q ha-1) were recorded with 200 kg N ha-1. Highest nitrogen content of plant at harvest (1.68 %) was recorded at 300 kg N ha-1 and uptake of nitrogen at harvest (12.54 kg ha-1) was highest with the N3 level of nitrogen (200 kg N ha-1).