Abstract

                                An Experiment was conducted at Horticultural Research Station, Udhagamandalam to trace the pattern of seed development and maturation as well as improving the germination and seedling growth of gaillardia for profuse and healthy flower production. The result revealed that seeds of gaillardia attained physiological maturity at 40 DAF (Days After Flowering) where the germination and dry weight of seedlings were at their maximum level with a moisture content of 21.4 per cent. Soaking the seeds in GA 3 @ 100 ppm for 8 hr recorded higher germination (90.0%), speed of germination (6.8), seedling length (140 cm), drymatter production (0.048 g seedling-10) and vigour index (1260) compared to other treatments. It is concluded that in order to obtain quality seeds of gaillardia, the flowers have to be harvested at 40 days after anthesis for extraction of seeds and germination of gaillardia can be improved by soaking the seed in GA 3 @ 100 ppm for 8 hr.

Key words : Gaillardia, seed development and maturation, germination improvement