Comparative Study of Marigold (Tagetes erecta) Varieties for Growth Habit and Flowering Quality in Lahore Conditions

Eight African marigold varieties (`Nari `(orange), `Bindi`(orange), `Bali` (orange), `Little Duck `(orange), `Bali` (yellow), `Bali` (gold), `Little Duck` (yellow) and `Eagle` (yellow) were comparatively studies for growth habit and flowering quality in open field condition at Training Centre for Floriculture and Landscaping, Directorate of Floriculture, Lahore during 2018-2019. Among the varietal study, highly significant variations were recorded for growth habit, and flowering parameters. Maximum seed germination percentage (94.5 %) observed in Bindi (orange) which was followed by Little Duck (yellow) with 82.75 % germination. `Bali (orange) took minimum days to 1st bud initiation (21.75 days) as par `Bindi` (24 days). Results showed that growth parameters like plant height (11.675 cm)  number of buds (22.825), number of branches (34.6), Flower diameter (7.9 cm), root length (14.9 cm) and number of roots (30.575) were maximum in `Bindi`. Whereas Nari (orange) showed maximum number of flowers (6.65). Hence it can be concluded that variety ‘Bindi’ was observed to be superior in comparison with other varieties relating growth behavior and flower quality in Lahore condition.