Evaluation of Commercially Viable African Marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) Cultivars in Odisha’s Coastal Plains

Author: Banani Priyadarshini Samantaray, Siddharth Kumar Palai, Banaja Prakashini Samantaray, Manas Ranjan Nath, Kaberi Maharana and Deepali Kaushal

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Abstract

The present study was conducted on 14 quantitative parameters of 8 African marigold genotypes to identify the most suitable variety for commercial cultivation in Odisha. Among the vegetative parameters, Pusa Narangi Gainda exhibited the highest values for plant height, plant spread (both north-south and east-west), number of primary branches, number of secondary branches, and stem diameter. Bidhan Marigold-3 showed the lowest plant height, while Bidhan Marigold-2 had the lowest north-south plant spread. Arka Alankar had the smallest east-west plant spread and the fewest primary branches, while Arka Agni had the fewest secondary branches. Bidhan Marigold-1 showed the smallest stem diameter. Arka Bangara had the earliest flower bud appearance and opening, while Pusa Basanti Gainda had the latest. The largest blooms were observed in Arka Bangara, and the smallest in Bidhan Marigold-3. Arka Agni produced the heaviest flowers, while Bidhan Marigold-3 had the lightest. Arka Agni also had the highest flower count, while Pusa Basanti Gainda had the lowest. Bidhan Marigold-2 flowers stayed fresh the longest, while those of Pusa Basanti Gainda remained fresh for the shortest duration. The highest yield was obtained from Arka Agni, followed by Bidhan Marigold-2, while Pusa Basanti Gainda yielded the least.

Keywords

African Marigold, genotype evaluation

Conclusion

When choosing a variety for commercial production of any flower crop, qualitative factors are more important than quantitative ones. Any flower harvest that looks better yields more revenue for the farmer than higher yield. A consumer will accept a more appealing flower with a longer shelf life than a less appealing one, and a farmer's profit will rise as a result. The Arka Agni yield was the highest. Customers would choose the BM-2 variety, which has the second-highest yield but better appearance, eye-catching blossoms, and a long shelf life, because quality is the main consideration when growing flowers. The most promising cultivar for commercial agriculture in Odisha was identified by plotting a graph using the two most significant economic characteristics, yield and shelf life. The graph showed that the cultivar BM-2 is above the point where the grand mean values of yield and shelf life meet (Fig. 1). Because of its compact Orange 25A RHS color chart flowers, which yield 1.09 kg of flowers per plant and have a 6.33-day shelf life, the Bidhan Marigold-2 variety is therefore the most suitable for marigold farming in Odisha's coastal districts.

References

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How to cite this article

Banani Priyadarshini Samantaray, Siddharth Kumar Palai, Banaja Prakashini Samantaray, Manas Ranjan Nath, Kaberi Maharana and Deepali Kaushal (2025). Evaluation of Commercially Viable African Marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) Cultivars in Odisha's Coastal Plains. Biological Forum, 17(2): 14-17.