Variability, heritability and genetic advance in chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandifloraTzvelev)

Abstract

Highly significant differences were found among the genotypes for all the characters studied. Number of flower per plant, flower size and plant spread showed the highest phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variation closely followed by plant height (at flower bud initiation and after full bloom stage). The GCV and PCV values for most of the characters were found to be very distant to each-other, indicated that characters much influenced by environmental factor. The heritability estimates in broad sense were high for number of flowers per plant, flower size and plant height after full bloom, while low heritability estimates were observed for days to flower bud initiation, plant spread and number of primary branches per plant. The genetic advance as percentage of mean was high for number of flowers per plant, flower size, plant height and plant spread. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance was observed for number of flowers per plant, flower size and plant height indicating that they are governed by additive genes and could be effectively improved through selection.