Effect of Different Planting Dates on Tuber Production in Dahlia (Dahlia variabilis L.) in Low Hill Conditions of Himachal Pradesh, India

The research, entitled " Effect of different planting dates on tuber production in dahlia (Dahlia variabilis L.) in low hill conditions of Himachal Pradesh" was carried out at RHRTS Dhaulakuan, Ponta Sahib (HP). The study aimed to investigate the impact of different planting dates on tuber production in five dahlia cultivars (Anarkali, Gargi, Giani Zail Singh, Matungini and Suryadev) in low hill. Three planting dates (September 15th, October 15th and November 15th) were chosen for evaluating vegetative parameters. Plant height (109.61 cm) and internodal length (10.34 cm) both were found to be optimal in the cultivar Suryadev. Furthermore, the cultivar Matungini exhibited the highest plant spread (42.72 cm). In terms of tuber production, Anarkali demonstrated superior performance in tuber weight (368.90 g), and tuber yield per plot (2.00 kg). Conversely, Matungini excelled in the number of tubers per plant (4.69), tuber length (13.24 cm) and tuber diameter (30.25 mm), while Giani Zail Singh showcased the best tuber diameter. The planting date of October 15th was identified as highly suitable for optimal tuber production across all parameters under low hill climatic conditions.