Evaluation of different China aster (Callistephus chinensis L. Nees) genotypes in the Terai region of West Bengal

The experiment was laid out in Randomized Completely Block Design with three replications. Sixteen genotypes namely, Arka Poornima, Arka Archana, Arka Aadya, Arka Kamini, Arka Shashank, Phule Ganesh White, Phule Ganesh Pink, Phule Ganesh Purple, Phule Ganesh Light pink, Pink Cushion, Arabhavi Aster Collection-1 (AAC-1), Namadhari Pink, Selected line (L-76), Selected line (L-179), Selected line (L-179/1) and Selected line (L-56) have been collected from IIHR, Hessaraghata Lake, Bengaluru, Karnataka for the trial.The different morphological, phenological as well as floral traits have been collected during the crop period which showed significant variation among the evaluated China aster genotypes. The maximum number of flowers per plant was recorded in ‘Arka Aadya’ (71.40) and ‘Arka Shashank’ (66.27) statistically at par with ‘Arka Aadya’ and the highest vase life as cut flower was noticed in Arka Shashank (11.67 days). Flower diameter was maximum in Phule Ganesh White (8.29 cm) which was at par with Arka Poornima (6.92 cm) and Phule Ganesh Purple (6.53 cm). Among the all genotypes, the maximum weight of ten fresh flowers were observed in Arka Poornima (54.17 g) which was statistically at par with Phule Ganesh White (53.61 g). These characters are considered to be very important with respect to commercial value of the variety for fulfil the consumers demand. The genotypes Arka Poornima, Phule Ganesh White, Arka Shashank, Arka Kamini and Arka Aadya may be recommended for commercial cultivation as loose flowers as well as cut flowers in the Terai region of West Bengal.