Vol. 12, Issue 6 (2023)

Author(s):
SS Mane, AB Bhosale, SG Bhalekar, SK Marbhal and RS Dhumal

Abstract:
Thirteen genotypes of ornamental safflower namely GMU-7948-1, GMU-7942-1, CO-1, GMU-7945-2, AVHT-20-12, SSF-708, SSF-658, AVHT-20-04, GMU-7942-2, AVHT-20-09, IVHT-20-02, GMU-7943-1, SSF-733 were evaluated with the aim to identify suitable genotypes for pot culture during the year 2021-2022 at Modibaug garden, Horticulture Section, College of Agriculture, Pune-05, (M.S). The results revealed that in the vegetative characters, the best performing genotypes for plant height were GMU-7942-2 (40.62 cm), SSF-733 (48.06 cm), GMU-7943-1 (54.24 cm). Maximum stem thickness at middle was recorded by GMU-7942-1(2.38 cm), CO-1 (2.20 cm), SSF-733 (2.17 cm), Maximum and significantly superior leaf area was recorded by the genotype AVHT-20-09 (28.84 cm²), Maximum E-W (28.05 cm) and N-S (37.30 cm) plant spread was recorded in the genotype SF-658. The maximum number of branches per plant recorded in the genotype CO-1 (5.66) and GMU-7945-2 (5.33). The results revealed that in the flowering characters, the best performing genotypes for the parameter maximum number of flowers per plant was recorded in the genotypes SSF-658 (16.57) and SSF-708 (13.92). The genotype SSF-658 (73.53 days), CO- (74.66 days) recorded minimum days required for the bud initiation. The genotype SSF-708 (30.42 days), GMU-7942-1 (30.33 days), SSF-658 (29.50 days) and CO-1 (28.93 days) recorded maximum flowering duration. The maximum flower diameter (3.98 cm) has recorded in GMU-7942-1.