Growth, Yield and Vase Life of Rose as Influenced by Different Cultivars Under Protected Condition of Eastern Himalayas

An investigation was carried out to evaluate the performance of four exotic rose cultivars (Sphinix Gold, Upper Class, Bordeaux and Avalanche) under protected condition in sub tropical hills of Nagaland. The performance of various growth parameter was significant for the character viz, plant height at first flower flush, length of the sprouted bud, length of the shoot after 2 weeks of bud sprouting, length of the shoot after 4 weeks of bud sprouting and thorn density per inch, While on yield and yield attributes significant was recorded for the character viz, diameter of flower ,plant height at second flower flushed and number of petal per flower, and performance on vase life, significant was also found in the character final stage of bud opening. High coefficient of variation both at genotypic and phenotypic level couple with high heritability and genetic advance for thorn density per inch. The genotypic correlation coefficient studies reveal that plant height at first flower flush was positively and significantly correlated with plant spread EW/NS direction, thorn density per inch and diameter of flower bud. Significant positive association of total number of petals per flower was revealed with plant spread EW/NS direction. Length of the sprouted bud was similarly a significant positive correlation with diameter of flower bud and thorn density per inch, length of the sprouted bud and days taken to bud sprouting. Phenotypic correlations of plant height at first flower flush with number of branches per plant, thorn density per inch. Similarly a significant positive correlation was observed between diameter of flower and length of the sprouted bud. Significant positive correlation also existed between number of flower per plant and number of petal per flower. Since there is a highly positive association among this component character, the selection of this particular character for improvement of any cultivars shall automatically influence other character in desirable direction. Among the cultivars studied the Sphinix Gold, Upper Class and Bordeaux are suitable for commercial cultivation under Nagaland condition.