Effect of planting dates on growth and flowering of selected rainy season annuals

Published

2025-06-30

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58993/ijh/2025.82.2.15

Keywords:

Optimal planting time, early and late flowering, maximizing growth and flowering, rainy season annuals
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Authors

  • J VIJAY Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, College of Horticulture, Dr Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (YSPUHF), Nauni, Solan 173230, Himachal Pradesh, India
  • DR H S Baweja Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, College of Horticulture, Dr Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (YSPUHF), Nauni, Solan 173230, Himachal Pradesh, India
  • DR B S Dilta Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, College of Horticulture, Dr Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (YSPUHF), Nauni, Solan 173230, Himachal Pradesh, India
  • DR P K Baweja Directorate of Extension Education, Dr Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (YSPUHF), Nauni, 173 230, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India
  • DR R K Dogra Department of Fruit Science, College of Horticulture, Dr Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (YSPUHF), Nauni, 173 230, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India
  • DR S R Dhiman Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, College of Horticulture, Dr Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (YSPUHF), Nauni, Solan 173230, Himachal Pradesh, India
  • DR Suman Bhatia Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, College of Horticulture, Dr Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (YSPUHF), Nauni, Solan 173230, Himachal Pradesh, India
  • DR Sapna Kaushal Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, College of Horticulture, Dr Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (YSPUHF), Nauni, Solan 173230, Himachal Pradesh, India
  • Anshul Kumar Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, College of Horticulture, Dr Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (YSPUHF), Nauni, Solan 173230, Himachal Pradesh, India
  • DR Rahul Negi ICAR – IARI Regional Station, Katrain, 175 129, Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, India.

Abstract

The present investigation was conducted at the experimental farm of Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (Himachal Pradesh), to evaluate the performance of eight rainy season annuals under different planting dates. The study involved tall zinnia, dwarf zinnia, balsam, gomphrena ‘pink’, gomphrena ‘magenta’, cosmos, African marigold, and china aster, planted on three dates: June 3rd, July 3rd, and August 3rd. Results revealed that tall zinnia recorded the maximum plant height, while gomphrena ‘pink’ showed the widest plant spread and longest flowering duration. Balsam exhibited the earliest flower bud initiation, earliest flowering, highest number of flowers per plant, and the highest flower yield both per plant and per plot. Tall zinnia produced the largest flower size. Among the planting dates, June 3rd (planting date 1) resulted in the best overall performance, including maximum plant height, plant spread, flower size, flowering duration, flower count, and yield per plant and per plot. In contrast, the earliest flower bud initiation and flowering were observed in the August 3rd planting (planting date 3). The study highlights the importance of cultivar selection and optimal planting time for maximizing growth and floral yield of rainy season annuals.

How to Cite

J VIJAY, H S Baweja, B S Dilta, P K Baweja, R K Dogra, S R Dhiman, … Rahul Negi. (2025). Effect of planting dates on growth and flowering of selected rainy season annuals. Indian Journal of Horticulture, 82(02), 223–228. https://doi.org/10.58993/ijh/2025.82.2.15

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Author Biographies

DR H S Baweja, Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, College of Horticulture, Dr Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (YSPUHF), Nauni, Solan 173230, Himachal Pradesh, India

Professor, Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, College of Horticulture, Dr Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (YSPUHF), Nauni, 173 230, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India.

 

DR B S Dilta, Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, College of Horticulture, Dr Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (YSPUHF), Nauni, Solan 173230, Himachal Pradesh, India

Principal Scientist, Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, College of Horticulture, Dr Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (YSPUHF), Nauni, 173 230, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India.

DR P K Baweja, Directorate of Extension Education, Dr Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (YSPUHF), Nauni, 173 230, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India

Principal Scientist, Directorate of Extension Education, Dr Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (YSPUHF), Nauni, 173 230, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India.

DR R K Dogra, Department of Fruit Science, College of Horticulture, Dr Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (YSPUHF), Nauni, 173 230, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India

Associate Professor, Department of Fruit Science, College of Horticulture, Dr Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (YSPUHF), Nauni, 173 230, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India.

DR S R Dhiman, Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, College of Horticulture, Dr Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (YSPUHF), Nauni, Solan 173230, Himachal Pradesh, India

Professor and Head, Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, College of Horticulture, Dr Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (YSPUHF), Nauni, 173 230, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India.,

DR Suman Bhatia, Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, College of Horticulture, Dr Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (YSPUHF), Nauni, Solan 173230, Himachal Pradesh, India

Assistant Professor, Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, College of Horticulture, Dr Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (YSPUHF), Nauni, 173 230, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India.

DR Sapna Kaushal, Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, College of Horticulture, Dr Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (YSPUHF), Nauni, Solan 173230, Himachal Pradesh, India

Assistant Professor, Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, College of Horticulture, Dr Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (YSPUHF), Nauni, 173 230, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India.

Anshul Kumar, Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, College of Horticulture, Dr Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (YSPUHF), Nauni, Solan 173230, Himachal Pradesh, India

Ph.D Research Scholar, Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, College of Horticulture, Dr Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (YSPUHF), Nauni, 173 230, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India.

DR Rahul Negi, ICAR – IARI Regional Station, Katrain, 175 129, Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, India.

Project Associate, ICAR – IARI Regional Station, Katrain, 175 129, Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, India.

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