Studies on Variability in Chrysanthemum (Dendranthema Grandiflora Tzvelev)

Abstract

An investigation entitled 'Studies on variability in chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflora Tzvelev)" was carried out in the experimental area of the Horticultural Research Centre of Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology. Meerut during 2007-08 in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications to study the genetic variability, interrelationship and genetic divergence in 24 genotypes of chrysanthemum. The study was based on quantitative characters in order to identify desirable genotypes on the basis of performance. The variability was studied through genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation. heritability and expected genetic advance, correlatton coefficients and path coefficient analysis. Studies revealed highly signifteant differences among the genotypes for all the characters. Maximum genetic variability was observed for number of flower per plant The estimates of phenotypic coefficient of variation were higher than that of genotypic coefficient of variation for all the characters. The heritability estimates in broad sense and genetic advance as per cent of mean were htgh for number of flowers per plant, flower size and plant height. Number of pnmary branches per plant, plant spread and flowering duration showed positive significant correlation with number of flowers per plant at genotypic and phenotypic levels. The path coefficient analysis at genotypic level revealed that days to flowering, number of primary branches per plant and plant spread had highest direct positive effect on number of flowers per plant while at phenotypic levels flowering duration, number of primary branches per plant and plant spread showed highest positive direct effect on number of flowers per plant Over all studies concluded that genotypes namely, Selection-69, Selecllon44, White prolifica, Kamaudi, Bsanti Yellow and Kundan were found suitable for commercial cultivation in western plain zone of Uttar Pradesh being superior in terms of flower size, flowering duration and number of flowers per plant.