Altitude-Dependent Growth and Yield Characteristics in Petunia (Petunia × hybrida Vilm.): A Comparative Study of Varietal Responses

Abstract

During the 2020-2021 growing season, the influence of altitudinal variations on the growth and yield of six Petunia varieties was evaluated. The varieties used for experiment were: ‘Red Chief’, ‘Star Mix’, ‘White’, ‘Pendula’, ‘N/C Mix’ and ‘Alderman’. The research was carried out across three experimental sites in Himachal Pradesh, India, Representing diverse altitudes: Khaltoo Experimental Farm (1060m amsl) of Department of Seed Science and Technology, the Experimental Farm (1276m amsl) of Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry Nauni, Solan  and the Experimental Farm (468m amsl) of Regional Horticultural Research and Training Station, Dhaulkuan, District Sirmaur. The ‘White’ variety performed better in growth and yield attributes of petunia at different altitudinal range. The study systematically investigated how variations in altitudes affected critical growth and yield parameters, including plant height, flowering time, branch number and overall ornamental performance. Of the six varieties assessed, ‘White’ consistently demonstrated superior performance in terms of growth vigour and yield attributes across all the altitudinal range. The result also revealed that plant grown at mid-altitude range(1276 m amsl) at the Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture’s Experimental Farm showed the most favourable growth and yield outcomes.