Assessment of Chrysanthemum Varieties for Enhanced Cut Flower Quality and Yield in Polyhouse Cultivation

AbstractChrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflora Tzvelev) is appreciated for its diverse flower forms, vibrant colors, and multifaceted uses as cut flowers, loose flowers, and potted plants. Present study evaluated the growth and flowering performance of eight chrysanthemum cultivars namely Bontempi, Hamilton, Arctic Queen, Champagne Yellow, White Marble, Yellow Marble, Lollipop, and Green Button under controlled polyhouse conditions. A randomized complete block design with three replications was employed for the assessment. Significant variability was observed among the cultivars with respect to growth and floral characteristics. White Marble recorded the highest plant height (82 cm) and maximum flower production (15 flowers/plant), while Yellow Marble exhibited the greatest plant spread (25 cm North–South and 19 cm East–West), largest disc diameter (2.8 cm), and a flower diameter of 6.3 cm. Lollipop demonstrated the highest stem girth (10 mm) whereas Purple Majesty exhibited the longest internodal length (5 cm). In addition, Green Button excelled in the number of primary branches (22) and ray floret width (1.5 cm). The findings emphasized the genetic variability influencing growth and flowering attributes and highlighted the effectiveness of polyhouse cultivation in enhancing flower quality and productivity. Among the evaluated cultivars, Bontempi, Hamilton, Arctic Queen, and Champagne Yellow showed superior potential for commercial cultivation under protected conditions meeting the quality standards required for both domestic and export markets.