Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bangalore 560 080.
Present address: * Division of Floriculture and Landscaping, IARI, New Delhi 110 012.
Genetic variability, correlation and path analysis of flower yield and its components were studied in seventeen genetically diverse stocks of small-flowered chrysanthemum. Flowers per plant and flower yield per plant were recorded to have high genotypic coefficients of variation as compared to other characters studied. These two characters had high heritability and genetic advance (per cent of mean) together. Flower yield per plant showed positive and significant association with plant height, days to flower, flower size and flowers per plant. Path analysis revealed that days to flower and flowers per plant had direct effect on flower yield per plant. Days to flower also influenced flower yield indirectly through flowers per plant. Plant height and flower size exerted indirect effect on flower yield through the number of flowers per plant and plant height, respectively. It is suggested that flower number, which is the main component of flower yield, should be given maximum emphasis in selection programme.
