Performance Assessment of Scented Field Roses in Open Field Cultivation: A Case Study in Coimbatore, India

A field experiment to evaluate the performance of ten scented field roses in terms of growth and floral parameters under open field condition was carried out at Botanical Garden, Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore during the year 2022-2023. Since there is a major lacuna in variety of scented field roses for cultivation in farmer’s field, the present study was undertaken to assess suitable variety for commercial cultivation under Coimbatore condition. The field experiment was carried out using Randomized Block Design (RBD) with ten treatments (Arka Sukanya, Arka Parimala, Bourbon rose type 1, Bourbon Rose type 2, Pusa Alpana, Rose Sherbet, Scent Pink, Damask rose type 1, Damask rose type 2, Andhra Red) and three replications. Results indicate a significance difference between the varieties for growth, flowering and yield characters. Experimental data revealed that the maximum plant height (68.92 cm), maximum number of shoots per plant (8.21), maximum leaves per plant (410.50), stem girth (6.28 cm), Highest chlorophyll content (58.1), Least number days for flower bud initiation (31.05), Diameter of fully opened flower (5.89 cm) and fresh flower weight (3.59 g) were seen in Bourbon rose type 1. Bourbon rose type 2 recorded maximum number of flowers per plant (41.12) and Andhra red rose recorded maximum number of petals per flower (94.89) among the evaluated varieties.