Session 1: Cultivation of China Aster
Unit 1: Cultivation of Commercial FlowerCrops-I
Textual Question-Answers
Check Your Progress
A. Fill in the Blanks
1. For China aster cultivation, ………………… soil is best with apH range of ………………
Ans: well-drained loamy soil; 6.0–7.5
2. In China aster application of FYM, ………………… tonnes and…………… NPK kg/ha are found beneficial.
Ans: 20–25 tonnes; 200:200:200
3. Individual flowers are harvested for making ……………………and ………………
Ans: garlands; bouquets
4. China aster is commonly propagated by …………………
Ans: seeds
5. For commercial cultivation of China aster, the seed raterequirement is ………………… kg/ha.
Ans: 1.0–1.5
B. Multiple Choice Questions
1. Optimum temperature range required for China aster during the dayand night is ……………
(a) 20–30°C and 15–17°C
(b) 30–35°C and 17–19°C
(c) 25–35°C and 13–15°C
(d) 35–40°C and 19–21°C
Ans: (a)
2. China aster can be planted at ………………… cm spacing.
(a) 20 × 20 or 35 × 35
(b) 25 × 25 or 40 × 40
(c) 35 × 35 or 50 × 50
(d) 30 × 30 or 45 × 45
Ans: (b)
3. Normal growing season of China aster is ……………………
(a) June–July and October–November
(b) February–March and July–August
(c) May–June and September–October
(d) November–December and April–May
Ans: (a)
4. Yields of China aster is about ………………… tonnes/ha looseflowers.
(a) 14–16
(b) 18–20
(c) 20–22
(d) 22–25
Ans: (b)
5. A serious insect pest of China aster is …………(a) Aster beetle (Epicauta pennsylvanica)
(b) Leafhopper (Macrosteles fascifrons)
(c) Tarnished plant bugs (Lygus lineolaris)
(d) Root aphid (Anuraphis maidi-radicis)
Ans: (b)
C. Subjective Questions
1. Define pinching in aster.
Ans: Pinching is the removal of the terminal growing tip of young asterplants to promote lateral branching and more flower production.
2. Name any five varieties of China aster.
Ans: Kamini, Poornima, Phule Ganesh Purple, Phule Ganesh White, ArkaKamini.
3. Describe propagation of China aster.
Ans: China aster is propagated by seeds. Seeds are sown in well-prepared nursery beds during the appropriate season. Healthy seedlings of about 4–6weeks age are transplanted to the main field.
4. Write about planting and transplanting of China aster.
Ans: Seedlings raised in nursery beds are transplanted when they attain4–6 true leaves. Transplanting is done in the evening at recommended spacing, followed by light irrigation for proper establishment.
D. Match the Columns
Ans:
1. Stunting of the plants — (d) Root-knot nematode
2. Gray mould — (e) Botrytis cinerea
3. Stem rot — (a) Pellicularia filamentosa
4. Foliage nematode — (b) Very active at 20°C temperature
5. Furadan at 1 g/m² — (c) Nematodes control.
