Morpho-agronomic Characterization of Marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) Varieties Cultivated in Eastern India

Marigold occupies the topmost position in loose flower production, and variability in productivity is attributed to genetic differences and genotype-environment interactions. This study evaluates the performance of ten flowering plant varieties (T1 to T10) over two years (2023 and 2024) based on morphological and yield attributes characters in randomized block design at the North-eastern Ghat Zone of Odisha. The experiment was conducted to identify varieties with superior traits for commercial floriculture. Results indicate significant variability among varieties, with T5-A. Vibha exhibiting the highest yield (34.2 q ha-1) and largest flower diameter (6.6cm) among tested varieties. The maximum shelf-life was observed in A. Vibha (6.40 days) with vibrant yellow and orange blooms. A. Vibha produced 3.4 times higher yield compared to GFM-1 with the higher net return of Rs. 200000 ha-1 respectively. A. Vibha not only produced good quality flowers but also provided a higher B:C ratio of 3.8, helping farmers to double their income. These findings provide valuable insights for selecting high-performing varieties and optimizing cultivation practices in floriculture.