Effect of Plant Growth Regulators on Different Cultivars of China Aster (Callistephus chinensis L.) in Hilly Terrain

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of varieties and growth regulators on seed yield and quality parameters in the hilly terrain. The experiment was laid in a factorial randomised block design (RBD). The study was conducted at the Kakhali Research Farm of DKSGACA, Eternal University, Baru Sahib, Himachal Pradesh, during kharif season of 2023. Twenty treatments were constituted using two factors, namely varieties viz., Arka Kamini and Arka Archana, and different levels of plant growth regulators viz., GA3 (100, 150 and 200 ppm), NAA (25, 50 and 75 ppm) and CCC (500, 750 and 1000 ppm) with control. The observations for the seed yield and quality parameters were observed and analyzed i.e., the number of seeds per flower head (g), seed yield per hectare (g), test weight (g), germination percentage (%), speed of germination (days), germination uniformity and seedling length (cm). The number of seed flower head-1(166.33), seed yield ha-1 (131.41 kg) and germination percentage (81.0 %) were found to be maximum in cv. Arka Kamini, whereas for test weight (24.80 g) and Seedling length (4.60 cm) cv. Arka Archana was found to be best. In case growth regulators, GA3 at 200 ppm was found to be best for seed yield ha-1, test weight and germination percentage, NAA at 100 ppm for the number of seed flower head-1 and CCC at 500 ppm for seedling length. Whereas, the number of seed flower head-1, seed yield ha-1, test weight and germination percentage were found to be maximum in the interactive effect of Arka Kamini and GA3 at 200 ppm. For the study, it was observed that all seed yield and quality parameters of China aster except the speed of germination and germination uniformity were significantly influenced by the varieties, plant growth regulators and their interactions. This study will directly help the seed industry and flower growers by enhancing seed production and quality and improving their economic condition.