Comparative performance of different genotypes of marigold (Tagetes spp)

A study was conducted during 2005-07 to assess the diversity of 45 genotypes of marigold (Tagetes spp). Marigold germplasm exhibited significant variation for various growth parameters. Cross 'Sutton Orange' x 'Crackerjack Mix' recorded maximum plant height (127.23 and 127.80), whereas parent 'French Dwarf' attained maximum plant spread and maximum secondary branches/plant (106.80 and 107.40, 74.00 and 75.61) in both the years of investigation. Parent 'Late Summer' showed maximum leaves/plant 4 318.33 and 5 324.67 in both years which varied significantly with remaining 44 genotypes. Cross 'Pusa Narangi Gainda' x 'Crackerjack Mix' recorded maximum leaf area (118.24 and 125.70) along with maximum average fresh weight of leaf (2.46 and 2.32). A significant variation was recorded among all the 45 genotypes of marigold for different flowering parameters. A wide range of flower colour and type was observed in the genotypes. A range of 18 to 143 days in first year and 16 to 141.67 days in second year were observed in between cross 'Pusa Basanti Gainda' x 'Bonita Bolero' and parent 'Late Summer' for days (1.00 and 0.99) taken to bud initiation. Similarly, in between the same genotypes, range of days taken to flowering varied significantly. Genotype 'Late Summer' was last to attain the reproductive stage but attained maximum bud diameter (1.00 and 0.99) while cross 'Pusa Narangi Gainda' x 'Late Summer' attained maximum flower diameter (13.00 and 13.00), maximum flower yield/plant (1 821.34 and 1 087.21), flower yield/ha (182.13 and 168.72) and maximum petals/flower (393.67 and 383.67). Cross 'Seraceul' x 'Sutton Orange' exhibited maximum flower longevity (56.33 and 54.67 days) while another cross 'Seraceul' x 'Late Summer' exhibited maximum duration for flowering (134.00 days) in the first year and cross 'Pusa Narangi Gainda' x 'French Dwarf' attained longest flowering duration (132.33 days) in the second year. However cross 'Seraceul' x 'Sutton Orange' gave maximum whorls/flower (14.33 each), whereas cross 'Sutton Yellow' x'Crackerjack Mix' attained maximum shelf-life (8.33 each) of flower in both the year. Maximum profit (Rs 675 130) was estimated in cross 'Sutton Yellow' x 'Late Summer,' followed by crosses 'Pusa Narangi Gainda' x 'Late Summer' and 'Sutton Yellow' x 'Crackerjack Mix'.