Effect of planting dates on growth, flowering and  seed production of paper flower (Helichrysum  bracteatum Andr.) under mid hills of Himachal  Pradesh

Priyanka Sharma; Y. C. Gupta; S.R. Dhiman; Puja Sharma and Bhavya Bhargava

Volume : III, Issue : XI, November - 2013

Effect of planting dates on growth, flowering and seed production of paper flower (Helichrysum bracteatum Andr.) under mid hills of Himachal Pradesh

Priyanka Sharma, Y. C. Gupta, S. R. Dhiman, Puja Sharma And Bhavya Bhargava

Abstract :

Field experiment carried to study the effect of planting dates on growth, flowering and seed production of paper flower (Helichrysum acteatum Andr.) under mid hill conditions of Himachal Pradesh during 2010–11 and 2011–12 exhibited noteworthy influence on vegetative, flower and seed yields. Six plantings were done at an interval of 15 days starting from September 17 in both the years. Plantings dates were; September 17, October 2, October 17, November 1, November 16 and December 1. The maximum plant height (92.88 cm), plant spread (46.00 cm), number of side stems per plant (12.35), duration of flowering (45.00 days), number of flowers per stem (6.02), flower size (5.63 cm), number of heads per plant (65.38), number of seeds per head (534.93), seed yield per plant (24.84 g), 1000 seed weight (0.77 g) and benefit cost ratio (3.07) were recorded when planting was done on September 17. Earliest visible flower bud formation (62.28 days), flowering (100.44 days) was also recorded September 17 planting.