Varietal evaluation on tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa L.) under Konkan agro climatic conditions

Evaluation of tuberose varieties for cut flower, loose flower and bulb production under Konkan condition was carried out at institutional farm of College of Horticulture, Dapoli, Dr. Balasaheb sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth during 2017 to 2020. Assessment of eight varieties viz., Local Single, Phule Rajni, Prajwal, Arka Nirantara, Suhasini, Hyderabad Double, Shrinagar and Local Double was carried out in Randomized Block Design with three replications. During the period of investigation, Prajwal variety recorded maximum plant height (74.56 cm), maximum number of leaves (22.77), maximum leaf area (71.09 cm2) and LAI (2.37) in vegetative parameters. The early commencement of flowering (78.92 days) was observed in Local Single, however the days required for 50 percent flowering (85.87 days) was earliest in Phule Rajani. The highest spike length (100.42 cm), rachis length (36.19 cm), floret length (7.04 cm) and number of florets per spike (15.87) in Prajwal variety. The maximum number of spikes per plant (1.91), per plot (36.69), flower yield per plot (3.53 kg) and per hectare(14.06 t/ha) while maximum number of bulbs per plant (3.58), and per hectare (13.28 t/ha) was registered by Prajwal followed by Suvasini and Hyderabad double. This shows that overall performance among 8 varieties evaluated Prajwal was found to be superior for growth and yield attributing characters. Similarly, B:C ratio was recorded highest(2.40) by prajwal variety followed by Suvasini (1.99) and Hyderabad double (1.91).