Polyhouse Conditions Research Articles

Performance of Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) var. CO (CR)4 under different growing environment and seasons

An experiment was conducted on observing the influence of season and growing environment on the performance of leafy coriander var. CO (CR)4. Institute of Agriculture under Tamil Nadu Agricultural University located at Kumulur, Trichy district of Tamilnadu was the experimental station. The experimental design was split plot design with two factors and three replications. Leafy coriander of Rabi season performed well and recorded significantly maximum values in parameters such as germination percentage (63.36 %), plant height (27.18 cm), number of leaves per plant (36.16), plant height (6.76 g) and yield per hectare (7.29 t/ha) than kharif crop. Similarly coriander under polyhouse recorded maximum germination percentage (62.55 %), plant height (26.52 cm), number of branches (4.50), number of leaves per plant (36.40), plant height (7.57 g) and yield per hectare (7.99 t/ha). The interaction effect has more influence especially in polyhouse condition during rabi season. The result of the experiment on cultivating coriander under polyhouse during kharif and rabi as well as under shadenet during rabi season will be economically notable.

Fertigation schedules and NPK doses influence growth and yield of tomato under polyhouse condition

An experiment was conducted to develop a fertigation schedule and assess the effect of different levels of NPK on the growth, yield and quality attributes of tomato grown under polyhouse conditions. There were nine different treatments of 75, 100 and 125 per cent RDF at three intervals (two, three and four days) of fertigation. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design with three replications. Most of the traits under study were significantly influenced by various levels of fertigation except specific gravity. Results revealed that maximum plant height (241.70 cm), number of branches (18.24), leaf area (328.70 sq cm), number of fruits per plant (83.42), weight of fruits (88.53 g), volume of fruits (90.88 cc), length of fruit (5.88 cm), yield per plant (7385.04 g) and yield per square meter (17.72 kg) were reported for treatment 125 % RDF at three days interval) followed by 125 <i>%</i> RDF at two days interval). In contrast, treatment 125 <i>%</i> RDF at four days interval) taken minimum days to first harvest (84.97) and was earliest among the treatments studied. Thus, tomato crops grown under polyhouse conditions should be supplemented with 125 percent of RDF <i>i.e. </i>225 kg N, 125 kg each of P and K per ha, along with three days interval of fertigation for higher yield.

Effect of different growing environments on growth, yield and quality attributes of strawberry

Shading is one of the cooling methods for changing the microclimate and maximizing crop growth in hot and sunny regions. A study was conducted to determine the effect of the growing environment on the growth, yield and fruit quality parameters of strawberries. The experimental treatments include net house, poly shade house, UV poly shade house, and open field (control) conditions. The results revealed that the plants produced in the net house condition had maximum plant height (18.5 cm), total chlorophyll content (62.66), fruit number (17), and yield (289.16 g/plant) of strawberries. In contrast, plants grown under UV poly shade conditions recorded higher total soluble solid (7 °Brix), titratable acidity (0.46%), ascorbic acid (39.68 mg/100g) and lower pH (3.41). Reducing sugar (7.57 mg/g) and phenol (2.44 mg/g) levels were higher in fruits grown in poly shade. Results indicated that the most suitable growing condition for yield and yield parameters of strawberries is under the net house. In contrast, UV poly and poly house conditions are favourable for producing better quality fruit.

PHYTOCHEMICAL AND ANTIOXIDANT STUDIES OF BACOPA MONNIERI TREATED WITH ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAE FUNGI GLOMUS FASCICULATUM AND GLOMUS MOSSEAE.

Vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizae (VAM) play a crucial role in enhancing the growth of plant by increasing the uptake of nutrients from soil and also is known to enhance the secondary metabolites of plants. The response of VAM Glomus fasciculatum Glomus mosseae and on the growth, phytochemical constituents and antioxidant properties of commonly known a Bacopa monnieri s Brahmi was carried out. was treated with both pure cultures individually and mixe B.monnieri d culture in (1:1) ratio along with uninoculated sample as control and gown in polyhouse condition for varying intervals. The physiological parameters, phytochemical analysis and antioxidant scavenging activities were analysed after 30, 60 and 90 days of VAM inoculation, respectively. Colonization of VAM was seen in the plant samples signifying the symbiotic association. Physiological analysis showed an increase in shoot, root and wet weight of with B. monnieri increase in time The preliminary phytochemical analysis inferred the methanol . ic leaf extracts of treated with B.monnieri Gf, Gm and Gf+Gmcontained alkaloids, avonoids, saponins, tannins, glycosides, terpenoids and carbohydrates which increased quantitatively with time.DPPH free radical scavenging activity showed escalation in result with increase in time of treatment with showinghigher G. fasciculatum scavenging activity compared to and the mixed cultures

English

An investigation was carried out at the Department of Horticulture, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore during summer-2017 to study the effect ofvaried levels of nitrogen and phosphorus fertigation on cherry tomato under open field and polyhouse conditions. There were 12 treatment combinations comprising of two growing conditions (open field and polyhouse), three levels of nitrogen (120, 150 and 180 kg N ha-1) and two levels of phosphorus (100 and 120 kg P2O5 ha-1) supplied trough fertigation with recommended potassium (150 kg h-1) as constant which were laid out in Factorial Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Result revealed that plant height (384.39 cm), fresh weight per plant (3.00 kg),nitrogen balance index (48.56), total leaf area per plant (6293 cm2), mean fruit weight (15.84 g), TSS content (6.30 ºB) and shelf life (15.66 days) were significantly higher under polyhouse condition with fertigation level of 180:120 kg N:P2O5 ha-1. However, significantly higher yield per hectare (78.16 t), Shelf life (15.66 days) and higher cost benefit ratio (4.81) were observed under open field condition with fertigation level of 150:120 kg N: P2O5 ha-1. Further, it can be concluded from the study that application of 150:120 kg N: P2O5 ha-1 through fertigation under open field condition is profitable during summer season in the Eastern Dry Zone of Karnataka.

Traversing arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and Pseudomonas fluorescens for carrot production under salinity.

Carrot is a vital supply of dietary fiber, vitamins, and carotenoids, and it is also rich in antioxidants and minerals. Soil salinity significantly reduces the yield and quality of carrots. Mycorrhiza inoculum (AMF) is known to improve morphological and biochemical traits of vegetables even under saline conditions. But the role of AMF in combating soil salinity effect in carrot is not studied in detail. Therefore here, in the first set, carrot seeds are inoculated with microbes in a pot experiment under polyhouse condition. In total, we applied 7 treatments with different combinations of Mycorrhiza inoculum (Glomus mosseae (Gm) and Gigaspora gigantea (Gg)) and phosphate solubilizing bacteria (Pseudomonas fluroscens (Pf)). In pot experiment study the best two treatments were the combination of Gm + Pf + GG and Pf + GG. Both of these treatments were selected for validation under the open field conditions. Primarily, there seems to be a promising opportunity for AMF application to carrots under pot culture as well as under field trials because of promising effect towards morphological parameters, especially root weight, and disparities in nutrients and metabolites. Overall, our study highlights mycorrhizal fungi and other microbes' efficacy in achieving a successful carrot production under salinity stress.

Effect of Irrigation Levels and Plant Growth Regulators on Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) under Poly House

An experiment was conducted during the winter season of 2017-18 at College of agriculture, Bikaner to study the effect of irrigation levels and plant growth regulators on Cucumber under naturally ventilated Poly house condition. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications. The treatments comprised of four drip irrigation levels (0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0 ETc or crop evapotranspiration) assigned to main plots and three plant growth regulators viz; water spray, NAA or Naphthalene Acetic acid (100 ppm) and GA3 (50 ppm) assigned to sub plots. The objectives of this study were to find out the effects of irrigation levels as well as plant growth regulators on yield attributes of cucumber and their interactions. Results indicated that earliness i.e. days to first flowering (35.40) and first harvest (52.00) were recorded maximum with 1.0 ETc as compared to other irrigation levels. The same treatment (1.0 ETc) significantly gave maximum fruit length (21.07 cm), number of fruits per vine (12.02), fruit weight (103.29 g), fruit yield (728.76 q ha-1) and net returns (765035.9 ha-1) with B:C ratio (2.46). However, water use efficiency (3.61 q ha-1 cm-1) was found maximum with 0.4 ETc. Among various plant growth regulators GA3 (50 ppm) recorded significantly higher yield attributes namely fruit length (21.63 cm), number of fruits per vine (12.34), fruit weight (99.48 g) and fruit yield (729.23 q ha-1). Water use efficiency, net returns and B:C ratio also exhibited higher values (2.57 q ha-1 cm-1, 765307.7ha-1 and 2.46, respectively) with same treatment. Similarly, earliness i.e. days to first flowering (34.19) and days to first harvest (50.70) were recorded with GA3. The treatment combination 0.8 ETc + GA3 (50 ppm) gave maximum value for fruit yield (793.93 q ha-1) per hectare.

Screening of vegetables crop genotype against root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) under polyhouse conditions

Root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita is an economically important plant-parasitic nematode of vegetable crops grown under open as well as protected cultivation. Use of resistant cultivar is an important measure for managing root-knot nematode as compared to the other management strategies. Despite the potential importance of this nematode, sources of resistance to M. incognita are not yet available for breeding purposes. Present studies were conducted to evaluate the resistant reaction of crop genotype (cucumber japanes long green, tomato shu, cherry tomato P. cherry tomato-1, bitter gourd pusa aushadhi and capsicum yalo wonder) against M. incognita under polyhouse conditions (2018-20). Sixty days after sowing, observations were recorded on number of galls/plant and final nematode population. All the crop genotypes of vegetables were showed varying degree of response against M. incognita. Out of five crop genotypes of vegetables, four (cucumber japanes long green, tomato shu, cherry tomato P. cherry tomato-1 and bitter gourd Pusa aushadhi) were susceptible/highly susceptible while capsicum yalo wonder showed moderately resistant reaction against M. incognita in both the years (2018-2020) and this genotype can be used as a source of resistance.

Yield, water use efficiency and crop co-efficient of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) grown under greenhouse and open field condition

A field experiment was conducted with Chitra variety of cucumber at Agricultural Engineering College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Kumulur in the year 2019-2020. The cucumber seeds were sown under greenhouse and open field condition under drip irrigation system. The micro climatic parameters like maximum and minimum temperature, relative humidity, light intensity were observed. Cucumber plant growth parameters, yield parameters and water use efficiency were recorded. Early flowering and fruit formation (32 days after sowing) was noticed inside greenhouse condition and fruit formation was noticed 40 days after sowing in out-side cultivation. The average length of the fruit was found 20.5 cm inside greenhouse and 17.6 cm for outside cultivation of cucumber. A maximum yield of 11.6 t/ha was recorded inside greenhouse cultivation whereas 7.84 t/ha was recorded for outside cultivation of cucumber. The water use efficiency of 25.7 kg/ha. mm was obtained under green house cultivation whereas water use efficiency of 16.70 kg/ha.mm was recorded in open field cultivation. The crop co-efficient value of 0.67, 0.87, 1.12 and 0.89 were developed for initial, developmental, middle and end stages of crop growth period for open field cultivation. Similarly crop co-efficient value of 0.63, 0.82, 1.05 and 0.88 were developed for initial, developmental, middle and end stages of crop growth period for polyhouse condition of semi arid region.

Effect of Different Cladding Material and Mulching on the Growth and Yield of Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) under Forced Ventilated Greenhouse System

The experiment was conducted at Agricultural Engineering College &amp; Research Institute, Kumulur, (TNAU), Tamil Nadu with the objectives to test the performance of different cladding (blue and white colour polyethylene) and plastic mulches (silver on black colour) on the growth and yield of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L., Fadia F1, hybrid) to find the suitable cultivation practices for obtaining higher yields in semi-arid regions.&#x0D; The observations of micro climatic parameters such as temperature, relative humidity, solar radiation, light intensity and soil temperature were recorded in each polyhouse and at control (open cultivation). The plant growth parameters like plant height, number of leaves per plant, number of branches, date of first flowering, number of fruits, individual fruit weight and leaf- area were recorded among all the treatments.&#x0D; Among the blue and white polyhouse conditions, favourable solar incidental radiation and light intensity was observed in the white polyhouse as compared to blue polyhouse. Among the plastic mulch and without mulch treatments, the plastic mulch showed negative results under polyhouse cultivation where as positive results on growth and yield parameters at open condition (control). Significant differences were found among the treatments combinations of white poly house condition without mulch treatment on higher fruit size, fruit weight, number of fruits per plant, number of leaves per plant, leaf area and higher yield might be due to higher photosynthetic active radiation than blue polyhouse. The microclimatic condition recorded in blue polyhouse found to be detrimental to the pathogens under certain wave lengths and resulted in lower incidences of pest and diseases but not supported for higher yield due to low light intensity compared to white polyhouse. White polythene film as cladding material for construction of poly house and without mulching is important to achieve higher growth and yield of Cucumber under semi-arid regions.

Development of low cost micropropagation protocol for Nardostachys jatamansi: A critically endangered medicinal herb of Himalayas

The study reports a low-cost micropropagation protocol for Nardostachys jatamansi, a high value, critically endangered Himalayan herb. Shoot-bud bearing rhizome segments of the plant were made to sprout and elongate on 0.8% agar-gelled Murashige and Skoog's medium containing 3% sucrose. The sprouted shoots were then multiplied on agar-gelled as well as liquid MS medium containing various concentrations and combinations of kinetin (Kn) and 1-phenyl-3- (1,2,3-thiadiazol-5-yl) urea (thidiazuron or TDZ). Maximum number of shoots developed per explant after 30 days on 100 ml agar gelled (6.7 shoots) and 30 ml liquid (6 shoots) MS medium containing 0.5 mg l−1 Kn and 0.75 mg l−1 TDZ. Although rooting of in vitro shoots was attempted on full as well as half-strength MS medium containing different auxins, rooting was achieved in 100% shoots (3.07 roots/ shoot) after 30 days on half-strength MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg l−1 indole-3- acetic acid (IAA). Different potting mixtures were used to acclimatize the micropropagated plantlets under polyhouse condition, but a maximum of 83% survival was recorded in sand and sand plus soil. The genetic fidelity of the in vitro plantlets was also assessed using Start Codon Targeted Polymorphism (SCoT) and Directed Amplification of Minisatellite DNA (DAMD) markers, and a total of 8.03% polymorphism was recorded. Eventually, the cost of micropropagation was reduced by 6.4 times during shoot multiplication and further by half during rooting. The present micropropagation method developed for N. jatamansi can have potential applications in medicinal plant-based industry.

Evaluation of bioefficacy potential of entomopathogenic fungi against the whitefly (Bemisia tabaci Genn.) on cotton under polyhouse and field conditions

The whitefly, Bemisia tabaci Gennadius (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), is becoming a serious problem on Bt cotton. It causes enormous crop loss through its direct feeding and as a vector of cotton leaf curl virus. Chemical-dependent management is harming the environment and increased insecticide resistance is often observed in the fields. Identification of most virulent strains of entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) is essential to serve as an important component of an IPM program for management of B. tabaci. Compared to B. tabaci adults, the nymphal stage is reported to be more susceptible to entomopathogens, and targeting nymphs also helps vector management. We evaluated the bioefficacy of EPF and chemical pesticides against nymphs of B. tabaci on Bt cotton under polyhouse and field conditions. The bioefficacy index (BI) was considered as a mechanism to select the most effective EPF strains for field evaluation. The highest nymphal mortality under polyhouse conditions was recorded for Metarhizium anisopliae NA-01299 (86.7%), Beauveria bassiana MT-4511 (85.1%), Cordyceps javanica IT-10498 (81.1%), IT-10499 (81%), and B. bassiana NA-0409 (78.2%) relative to other EPF strains, spiromesifen (69.6%), buprofezin (62.2%) and pyriproxyfen (52.7%) at 7-days-post-spray treatment (DAS). However, among all the EPF, the highest BI was recorded in C. javanica IT-10499 (77%), IT-10495 (75.4%), Fusarium verticillioides IT-10493 (74.6%), and B. bassiana MT-4511 (73.1%). The pooled data of two-year field trials (2017–18 & 2018–19) revealed that the highest nymphal mortality was recorded for MT-4511 (85%), IT-10499 (83.2%), and pyriproxyfen 10% EC (78.6%) at 7-DAS. The BI-based selection of EPF proved to be a useful predictor of field efficacy. A sequential spray of the selected EPF would be a vital approach for resilient and sustainable integrated management of the B. tabaci nymphal population under field conditions.

Optimization of an improved, efficient and rapid in vitro micropropagation protocol for Petunia hybrida Vilm. Cv. "Bravo".

An efficient protocol for in-vitro propagation of an important ornamental crop, Petunia hybrida Vilm. Cv. "Bravo" was developed. The explants that were used to carry out the experiment were Leaf segments, nodal segments and shoot tips. Nodal segments recorded highest per cent asepsis followed by shoot tips and leaf segments. Asepsis was found to be highest when the explants were sterilized with Fungicide (Carbendazim) 0.02% for the duration of 30min followed by 0.1% HgCl2 for duration of 10min and then ethanol 70% for 10s. Longer duration of the sterilant treatment showed more necrotic effects on the explants, thus mercuric chloride treatment when given for 5min proved to be more effective in terms of survival of the explants. Maximum establishment per cent was recorded in Murashige and Skoog (MS) media fortified with BAP (1.5mg L-1) and IBA (0.5mg L-1) in shoot tips and nodal segments, i.e. 97.90 and 95.74% respectively. Callus was efficiently induced and developed when PGR amalgamation of BAP (0.1 mg L-1) and 2,4-D (1.5mg L-1) was used. Kinetin at the concentration of 2.0mg L-1 along with IBA at 0.5mg L-1 recorded highest callus regeneration in both leaf and internodal segment derived callus. Maximum proliferation percent of shoots (97.90%), highest number of shoots (20.50 explant-1) and maximum length of shoot (2.70cm) was recorded in PGR combination of IBA and BAP both at 0.5mg L-1 concentration level. Rhizogenesis was recorded to be highest in the MS media containing IBA 1.00 mg L-1. Best hardening media which recorded maximum survival per cent 92.50% was noticed on the media formulation comprised of equal ratio of perlite and vermiculite mix, under poly house conditions.

Comparative Analysis of the Economics of Crop Cultivation under the Poly House and Open Field Conditions in Rajasthan

The results revealed that the total cost incurred in the crop cultivation under polyhouse conditions was higher than open field conditions for all three crops. The share of the total variable cost was more than 65 percent for the three crops in each condition and was slightly higher under open field conditions, while the share of fixed costs was higher in the total cost of cultivation for the crops grown under polyhouse. On the other hand, returns obtained from polyhouse cultivation were observed more than the returns obtained from open field conditions. For all the crops, net returns were more than double when grown in polyhouses, which suggested a profitable situation for the crops grower under polyhouse. Returns per rupee were again higher for the cucumber, tomato, and chilli grown under polyhouse conditions with values 2.17, 2.12, and 2.21, respectively, than in open field conditions amounting to 2.11, 1.96, and 1.82 correspondingly. To reap these benefits associated with polyhouse cultivation, marginal and small farmers can go for cooperative farming. Regular training and extension services areto be made available to the young entrepreneurs and farmers to impart information about the technical know-how of the growing crops under protective technologies

Evaluation of gerbera cultivars and silicic acid applications under polyhouse condition

A study on performance of gerbera cultivars for different levels of silicic acid application was carried out under protected condition. The results revealed that among all seven cultivars, ‘Marinilla’ recorded with highest number of flowers (15.11) and lowest number of flowers observed with cultivar ‘Vilassar’ (13.11). Regarding leaf length, cultivar ‘Nijela’ (30.02 cm) recorded significantly higher leaf length than ‘Amlet’ (26.41 cm), but was on par with ‘Marinilla’ (29.64 cm), ‘Rionegro’ (29.03 cm), ‘Amelie’ (28.50 cm) and ‘Vilassar’ (28.38 cm) cultivars. Leaf width recorded was not significantly influenced due to cultivars of gerbera’. However, cultivar ‘Marinilla’ (10.60 cm) recorded higher leaf width than cultivar ‘Amelie’ (9.90 cm). Regarding leaf area per plant recorded with cultivar ‘Marinilla’ (1230.13 cm2) was significantly higher than ‘Nijela’ (1055.96 cm2) cultivar. The extent of increase in leaf area per plant in ‘Marinilla’ was 16% more than ‘Vilassar’ cultivar. Soil nutrients like available nitrogen, available phosphorus and available potassium contents did not vary significantly due to silicic acid levels.

Propagation of Jasminum parkeri: A Critically Endangered Wild Ornamental Woody Shrub from Western Himalaya

Jasminum parkeri Dunn is a narrowly endemic, critically endangered woody ornamental shrub confined to sub-temperate zone of Western Himalayas, and rediscovered from its type locality after a lapse of about 100 years. In the present study, a propagation technique of J. parkeri, using stem cuttings, was established for the first time through application of auxins, namely, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), at varying concentrations ranging from 1000 to 4000 ppm. The highest rooting percentage (98.33% (85.68% ± 4.32)), number of primary roots (36), root length (29.68 cm) and survival percentage (96.67% (83.85% ± 6.16)) were recorded for cuttings treated with 3000 ppm NAA. The phenological comparison between pot plants propagated through seeds and stem cuttings in a naturally ventilated polyhouse revealed a reduction in vegetative and flowering phases in cutting raised plants. Additionally, a noteworthy adaptive behavior of two weeks of early flowering and four weeks of extended flowering (February to October) was observed in plants raised under polyhouse conditions. This method will help in protecting the species from population decline, thereby significantly increasing its potential to be harnessed as an ornamental plant in India. Furthermore, plants grown ex situ will be reintroduced in natural populations.

Effect of organic sources of nitrogen on physiological parameters of king chilli (Capsicum chinense Jacq.) under poly house condition

A study was conducted in rabi season 2019-20 in the poly-house, Department of Horticulture, CAU, Imphal to observe the effect of organic sources of nitrogen on net assimilation rate, relative growth rate and plant growth efficiency of king chilli (Capsicum chinense Jacq.) under poly house condition. The layout of the experiment was RBD (Randomized Block Design) with three replications under 8 different treatments. Results of the present experimentation revealed that the application of 100% RDF (T8) registered significant values for net assimilation rate (0.0232 g/m2/day), relative growth rate (0.0574 g/g/day) and plant growth efficiency (57.41%) at 60-90 DAT stage. However, among the organic sources, application of 100% RDN through vermicompost (T3) had significant effect on the physiological parameters of the crop which was comparable with that of inorganics treatment.

Seasonal population fluctuation of foliar nematode, Aphelenchoides besseyi infecting Dendrobium nobile under Poly house condition

Seasonal population fluctuation of foliar nematode, Aphelenchoides besseyi infecting Dendrobium nobile under Poly house condition

Comparative performance of various cherry tomato (Solanum spp.) accessions and their crosses for various quantitative traits under open-field and polyhouse conditions

The present investigation was carried out at the Experimental Farm, Division of Vegetable Science, SKUAST-K, Shalimar, India during Kharif season 2020. Fifty-seven treatments comprising of 45 F1’s, 10 parents and 2 checks were evaluated for various yield and yield attributing traits in Augmented Bock Design (ABD). Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among the parents (accessions) as well as their crosses for all the traits under both environments, in the individual as well as in pooled data analysis. The maximum fruit yield hecatre-1 (q) was recorded in the accession EC-520074 (961.69) and cross EC-914092 x EC-914097 (1026.39) in E1; accession EC-914097 (719.69) and cross EC-914092 x VRT-02 (971.62) in E2 and accession WIR-3957 (611.93) and cross WIR-5032 x EC – 914092 (898.59) in pooled data analysis indicating that these should be considered for further improvement in future breeding programmes in terms of fruit yield hecatre-1.

Gene effects on vegetative and floral characters of gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii L) Under Naturally ventilated polyhouse conditions

A polyhouse experiment was conducted for ten diverse genotypes of gerbera for twenty characters in Randomized Block Design with three replications at College of Horticulture, SKLTSHU, Hyderabad. Path analysis revealed that days to first-flower opening (1.976) exerted the highest positive direct effect on number of flowers per plant followed by, leaf area (0.8600), number of ray florets (0.6080) and length of the flower stalk (0.5841), number of leaves per plant (0.4315), fresh weight of flower (0.3884), number of suckers per plant (0.3381), chlorophyll content (0.2687), duration of flowering (0.2622), flower stalk diameter (0.1798) and field life (0.0514) at genotypic level indicating that the selection for these characters was likely to bring about an overall improvement in yield of gerbera cut flowers.