Evaluation of Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) Varieties under the Agro - Climatic Conditions of Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India
Vinodhini G *
Department of Horticulture, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology & Sciences, Prayagraj (UP), India.
Devi Singh
Department of Horticulture, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology & Sciences, Prayagraj (UP), India.
Vibin Sankar
Department of Floriculture and Landscaping, Kerala Agricultural university, Vellanikkara, Thrissur (KL), India.
Chirumella Joharika
Department of Agronomy, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology & Sciences, Prayagraj (UP), India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The experiment entitled “Evaluation of Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) Varieties under the Agro - climatic Conditions of Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh” was carried out during November, 2023 to May, 2024 under in Horticulture Research Field, Department of Horticulture, Naini Agricultural Institute, SHUATS, Prayagraj. The experiment was conducted in completely Randomized Design (CRD), with 7 varieties which have been replicated for 4 times. The varieties are:108, Akhila, Fong Hu, Sai Thung Sui, Super Lotus 14, Allahabad Local Lotus -1, and Allahabad Local Louts-2. The varieties showed significant variations in all the parameters studied. The variety Akhila showed maximum number of leaves (29.32), plant height (28.12cm), plant spread (96.34cm), flower diameter (12.30cm), number of days taken for bud initiation (26.72), total number of flowers per plant (10.21), flower length (24.69), yield of flowers per tub (40.25). The variety “Super Lotus 14” was reported to require a longer duration for flower bud opening (18.10 days) compared to other varieties. The duration of flowering recorded in Akhila (10.39 days), followed by Sai Thung Sui (9.98 days). The longest vase life was observed in the variety Super Lotus 14 (7.14) followed by Akhila (6.91) in days. Based on the findings, Akhila, Super Lotus 14, Sai Thung Sui varieties performed the best in Prayagraj Agro - climatic conditions.
Keywords: Lotus, varieties, Akhila, Prayagraj