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A line × tester set of 8 parents involving five females (Arka Kamini, Arka Poornima, Arka Aadya, Arka Archana, Arka Violet Cushion) and three pollen parents (Arka Shashank, Local Violet, Local Pink) were analyzed for heterosis with respect to growth, flower quality and yield traits in China aster [Callistephus chinensis (L.) Nees]. The experiments were conducted at Division of Floriculture and Medicinal Crops, ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru during 2015-17. Results revealed that the cross L2 × T1 exhibited highest positive significant heterosis for plant height over mid parent, better parent as well as commercial check cv. Arka Kamini. For days to first flowering, cross L3 × T1 exhibited maximum negative heterosis over commercial check. The cross L2 × T1 exhibited highest positive significant heterosis for duration of flowering over mid parent, better parent as well as commercial check. For flower stalk length, the highest positive significant heterosis over mid parent, better parent as well as commercial check was observed in cross L4 × T3. The cross L3 × T2 recorded highest heterosis for flower yield over better, mid and commercial check.

Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea sp) is recognized as a high value landscape plant. It is usually propagated by hardwood cuttings, but in certain varieties, rooting per cent is very low, ultimately the rate of multiplication is less. Therefore, the present investigation was carried with an objective to standardize the protocol for quick, easy and mass multiplication of two difficult-to-root cultivars Mahatma Gandhi and Refulgens, using in vitro techniques. Nodal sections with axillary buds were excised, surface-sterilized and cultured on MS medium supplemented with plant growth regulators. Pre-treatment agitation of explants in carbendazim (0.1%) + Metalaxyl (0.1%) + 8-HQC (200 mg/l) for 3 hr followed by quick dip in ethyl alcohol (70%; v/v) for 30 sec and surface sterilization in HgCl2 (0.1%) for 5 min was used for reducing contamination. MS medium with BAP (5 mg/l) was found to be the best with highest percentage of culture establishment (81.13) and the fastest bud sprout (8.18 days). MS medium supplemented with BAP (4.0 mg/l) and kinetin (0.5 mg/l) resulted in highest shoot proliferation in both the cultivars. The best treatment for micro-shoot elongation was the one where MS medium was supplemented with 0.5 mg/l GA3 giving the highest elongation (3.89 cm). In vitro rooting of micro-shoots was done in half-strength MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg/l IBA. Hardening was done in glass jar with polypropylene cap.