Comparative Study of Varieties and Hybrids of Marigold (Tagetes erecta L.)

A field experiment was conducted during the Rabi season of 2024–25 at Modibaug, College of Agriculture, Pune, to evaluate the growth, yield, flower quality, and pest-disease incidence among ten marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) varieties and hybrids under randomized block design with three replications. Treatments included Pusa Narangi Gainda (T1), Pusa Basanti Gainda (T2), Pusa Bahar (T3), BM 4 (T4), Kalwan Local (T5), Marvel Yellow (T6), Marvel Gold (T7), Marvel Orange (T8), Inca Yellow (T9), and Inca Gold (T10). Significant variation was observed among genotypes. Pusa Narangi gainda (T1) recorded maximum plant height (71.04 cm) and spread (133.53 cm). Inca Yellow (T9) showed earliest flowering (30.73 days), highest yield per plant (632.88 g), plot (18.98 kg), and hectare (234.31 q ha⁻¹), along with superior flower quality—largest diameter (7.20 cm), longest vase life (5.00 days), and highest B:C ratio (1:2.10). Inca Gold (T10) produced the highest number of flowers per plant (112.20), while Kalwan Local (T5) exhibited the lowest pest incidence (0.27). T3 recorded the highest dry weight of ten flowers (23.03 g). The study identifies Inca Yellow (T9) as the most promising genotype for superior yield, quality, and economic return under field conditions.