Genetic variability, heritability, genetic advance and genetic divergence for yield and its contributing traits in gladiolus (Gladiolus grandiflorus L.)

The experiment on 12 genotypes of gladiolus (Gladiolus grandiflorus L.) was conducted to work out the genetic variability, heritability, genetic advance and genetic divergence effects of their various attributes on spike yield. The analysis of variance revealed that mean squares due to treatments were highly significant for all characters. The magnitude of phenotypic coefficient of variation was higher than corresponding genotypic coefficient of variation for all the characters. Expected genetic advance expressed as per cent of mean ranged between 4.90 to 38.63per cent. The highest of genetic advance was recorded for number of cormels per plant (38.63%) and lowest for number of spikes per plant and number of spikes per hectare (4.90%).High genetic advance coupled with high heritability was recorded for the characters of number of cormels per plant, number of sprouts per corm, number of leaves per plant, vase life (days), plant height (cm), days taken for complete sprouting, number of spikes per plant, length of spike (cm), number of spikes per ha (lac), duration offlowering (days) and corms yield per ha (q) provide greater scope for further improvement of these traits in advance generations. Phenotypic and genotypic coefficient variations were highest for number of cormels per plant (26.95 and 22.48) and lowest for duration of flowering (days) (11.01 and 9.99). Heritability and genetic advance indicate that the additive nature of gene action and reliability of those characters for selection and emerged as ideal traits for improvement through selection.