Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bangalore-560 080.
Variability and correlation studies were conducted in 19 varieties of China aster. Observations recorded on seven traits indicated highly significant varietal differences in respect of all the characters. Flower weight and stalk length showed high genotypic coefficient of variation, heritability and genetic advance as percentage of mean, which may be attributed to additive gene effects. Thus, these characters will be useful in breeding programme for China aster. Stalk length and flower weight had positive significant correlation between themselves and with flower size, plant height and days taken to flower. Flower size was observed to have positive significant correlation with plant height and days taken to flower. Number of flowers per plant and days taken to flower showed positive significant association with number of branches per plant.
