Studies on Growth, Flowering, Post-Harvest and Biochemical Parameters of Standard Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat.) Varieties under Malwa Plateau Conditions of Madhya Pradesh, India

Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat.), a prominent ornamental species of the Asteraceae family, is highly valued for its diverse floral forms, vibrant colors, and significant cultural and commercial importance. Its adaptability to photoperiodic manipulation and increasing demand in floriculture necessitate the evaluation of suitable cultivars under specific agro-climatic conditions. The investigation was conducted at the Department of Floriculture and Landscaping, KNK College of Horticulture, Mandsaur (M.P.), during the Rabi season of 2024–25 for Studies on evaluation of standard chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat.) varieties under Malwa Plateau conditions of Madhya Pradesh. The experiment was carried out in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three replications. According to finding growth parameters results under Malwa condition the Raja variety of standard chrysanthemum has got maximum plant height (22.46 cm, 36.36 cm and 46.50 cm) and minimum plant height (5.63 cm, 10.93 cm and 20.71 cm) find in Bidhan Mallika at 30, 60 and 90 days after transplanting respectively. The Raja variety of chrysanthemum also has got maximum plant spread at 30 days after transplanting but at 60 days after transplanting maximum plant spread shown in Jambala variety. The minimum plant spreading (0.63 cm and 7.51 cm) was shown by Bidhan Mallika variety at 30 and 60 days after transplanting respectively. The maximum number of leaves per plant and stem diameter was recorded in Raja at 30 days after transplanting but at 60 days after transplanting maximum both parameters were recorded in Jaya. The flowering parameters results shown that minimum number of days taken flower bud appearance (33.33 days) and days taken of flowering (58.13 days) were recorded in Jambala but maximum number of days taken flower bud appearance (66.96 days) and days taken of flowering (124.64 days) by the Jubilee variety of standard chrysanthemum. The ‘Raja’ exhibited the longest vase life (17.11 days), followed by 'Jambala' and 'Jubilee'. 'Jambala' had the highest fresh (21.36 g) and dry (2.03 g) flower weights. 'Silk Brocade' recorded the highest chlorophyll content at both 30 and 60 DAT, indicating better photosynthetic activity.