An investigation was carried out to evaluate the performance of four exotic rose cultivars (Sphinix Gold, Upper Class, Bordeaux andAvalanche) under protected condition in sub-tropical hills of Nagaland. High coefficient of variation both at genotypic and phenotypic level couple with high heritability and genetic advance for thorn density per inch. The genotypic correlation coefficient studies reveal that plant height at first flower flush was positively and significantly correlated with plant spread EW/NS direction, thorn density per inch and diameter of flower bud.Significant positive association of total number of petals per flower was revealed with plant spread EW/NS direction. Length of the sprouted bud was similarly a significant positive correlation with diameter of flower bud and thorn density per inch, length of the sprouted bud and days taken to bud sprouting. Phenotypic correlations of plant height at first flower flush with number of branches per plant, thorn density per inch. Similarly a significant positive correlation was observed between diameter of flower and length of the sprouted bud. Significant positive correlation also existed between number of flower per plant and number of petal per flower. Since there is a highly positive association among this component character, the selection of this particular character for improvement of any cultivars shall automatically influence other character in desirable direction. Among the cultivars studied the Sphinix Gold,Upper Class and Bordeaux are suitable for commercial cultivation under Nagaland condition.

An experiment was conducted at Horticulture farm, Nagaland University, Medziphema Campus, School of Agricultural Sciences and Rural Development, Nagaland to standardize the planting time and nitrogen requirement in lilium cv. Blackout. Three dates of planting (30 th October, 15 th November and 30 th November) were taken and four levels of nitrogen (0, 100, 200 and 300 kg/ha) were applied in this experiment, and it was laid out in Factorial RBD with three replications. The results indicated that 30 th October planting date and application of nitrogen @ 300kg/ha exhibited superior growth characters except for number of leaves which was recorded maximum in 15 th November planting. The days required for bud emergence, bud colour visibility and first floret opening were reduced in 30 th November planting while the highest dose of nitrogen delayed the days required for the same characters. The floral attributes viz. length and diameter of flowering shoot, length and diameter of flower bud, width of flower, number of flower buds per shoot, as well as bulb characters viz. weight and diameter of bulb, weight of bulblets and number of bulblets per bulb were found to be greatest with earlier planting and higher doses of nitrogen.