Yield and Quality Performance of China Aster (Callistephus chinensis (L) Nees) Varieties under Nagpur Conditions

This study was conducted during the Rabi season of 2024-2025 at the P.G Research Farm, Horticulture Section, College of Agriculture, Nagpur, Maharashtra to identify the most suitable China aster varieties for optimal quality and yield under local climatic conditions. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Block Design comprising twelve treatments, including varieties from the Arka series (Arka Poornima, Arka Kamini, Arka Aadya, Arka Shashank, Arka Shubhi, Arka Archana, Arka Advika and Arka Nirali and Phule Ganesh series Phule Ganesh White, Phule Ganesh Violet, Phule Ganesh Purple and Phule Ganesh Pink each replicated three times. Results demonstrated that Phule Ganesh White exhibited superior yield performance, producing the highest flower yield per plant (111.26 g), plot yield (1.34 kg) and hectare yield (123.63 q), followed by Arka Archana (92.16 g), (1.11 kg) and (102.40 q) respectively and Arka Aadya (84.66 g), (1.02 kg) and (94.07 q) respectively. Regarding quality parameters, Phule Ganesh White recorded the maximum flower diameter (7.49 cm) flower weight (3.16 g) and shelf life (4.93 days) while Arka Poornima exhibited the minimum disc diameter (1.65 cm). Arka Aadya produced the highest number of flowers per plant (42.33). The findings conclusively indicate that Phule Ganesh White is the most suitable variety for cultivation under Nagpur conditions, offering superior yield and quality parameters, with Arka Archana and Arka Aadya serving as viable alternative cultivars.