Evaluation of Post Harvest Quality of some Cultivars of Chrysanthemum

A study was conducted to evaluate the performance of ten chrysanthemum cultivars for better post harvest quality under open field condition at University of Agricultural Sceinces, Bangalore. Flowers were harvested at fully open stage or nearly so. The results showed that the maximum stalk girth (0.32 cm) was recorded in Cv. Cassa and the maximum flower diameter (8.14 cm) was recorded in cv. Ravikiran, Cultivar Cassa recorded the maximum flower weight (3.59 g). Maximum number of ray florets were recorded by cv. Nilima (253.2). The maximum length of ray florets were recorded in cv. Ravikiran (3.96 cm). Maximum fresh weight, final weight and water loss (88.33, 40.63 and 47.67g respectively) from the spray type flowers were recorded in cv. Arka Swarna. Longer vase life of 16 days was also recorded in cv. Arka Swarna. Based on the performance studies it was observed that Arka Swarna, Ravikiran, Red gold, Nilima and Arka Ravi performed better post harvest quality and may be selected for cut flower production.