PATIL, A AHEMLA NAIK, B2019-11-082019-11-082003No . of references 243http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810134866"Marigold is one of the important commercialflower crops of India, which ranks first among the loose flowers. It is not only grown as a cut flower and in landscaping but also as a source of natural carotenoid pigment, 'xanthophyll', used in poultry industries to intensify yelloworange colour of egg yolk, broiler skin and many other industries as it is free from health hazards, safe and eco-friendly in nature. Hence, marigold xanthophyll is gaining lot of importance in the international market. The study was conducted to identify a suitable, stable and high yielding genotype across the environments and standardization of production technologies for higher flower and xanthophyll yield in Alfisol at Floriculture Unit, Department of Horticulture, University .of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad during kharif and rabi seasons of 2001- 02 and 2002-03. Fifteen genotypes of African and ten genotypes of French marigold were evaluated for phenotypic stability with respect to growth parameters, floral and xanthophyll yield. Among the African types, 'African Marigold Orange' (AMO) and 'Orange Boy' among French marigold recorded maximum number of branches, dry matter production, days to flower cessation, flower size, number of flowers per plant, flower, petal meal and xanthophyll yield per hectare, which were found to be stable and statistically superior over check Orange Double and Local Dwarf respectively. Nitrogen at 225 kg and phosphorus at 120 kg per hectare was found to be optimum dose for all the vegetative, floral, flower and xanthophyll yield per hectare during both the seasons, which was significantly superior over the lowest dose of N and P (175 kg N and 50 kg P/ha). Among the pinching and chemicals spray treatments, the pinched crop sprayed with DAP @ 2% recorded highest xanthophyll yield per hectare. However, the maximum flower yield was obtained due to pinching plus CCC @ 1000 ppm followed by pinching plus DAP @ 2%, which were found to be the best treatment combinations during both the seasons."ennullThesis