PLANT CELL BIOTECHNOLOGY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

Gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii L) is one of the most ornamental flowers in the world, both as cut flower and potted plant. Evaluation of gerbera cultivars for growth and flower characters under polyhouse for commercial cultivation has good potential. Considering the importance of this cut flower, a study has been conducted to evaluated nine cultivars of gerbera viz, Basic, Terra- Kalima, Alcatraz, Tera-Snooki, Break Dance, Livia, Haimi, Kalya and Petali for various growth and flowering characters. The experiment was conducted at College of Horticulture, Central Agricultural University-Imphal, Bermiok, Sikkim during 2024-2025 under polyhouse condition. Among the cultivars studied, there were highly significant variation observed for growth, yield and flower characters.  The results revealed that cv. Basic had significantly highest plant height (41.30 cm) followed by Breakdance (40.6 cm) and Livia (40.5cm). The same cultivar also showed maximum flower size (12.00 cm), stalk girth (0.72 cm) and vase life (16.2 days). Whereas cultivar Alcatraz required minimum days (62) for bud initiation and for flower opening (15.8) days respectively.  Cultivar Kalya recorded longest stalk length (64 cm) compare to other cultivars. With respect to vegetative parameters like number of leaves per plant was recorded highest in cultivar Basic (21.5) followed by Kalya (21.2).  Highest number of suckers per plant was recorded in cultivar Basic (3.1) followed by Terra -Kalima (2.7). On the basis of overall performance, cultivars Basic, Kalya, Breakdance, Alcatraz were found superior with respect to growth and flowering characteristics under polyhouse in mid hills of Sikkim.