Studies on genetic variability, heritability, genetic advance and correlation in marigold

Forty four germplasm of three species of marigold (Tagetes erecta, T. patula and T. minuta) were evaluated during 2002–2003 under Tarai ccnditions of Uttarakhand, to ascertain genetic carameters such as variability, heritability, genetic advance and correlation. These germplasm depicted significant variations in all the studied characters. Highest range of variation was reported with number of flowers/plant. Heritability estimates were high for all the characters except days taken to bud initiation. Significant positive correlation was found between number of primary branches/plant, plant spread and number of flowers/plant, days taken to bud initiation and flower diameter; days taken to flowering and weight of seeds/peduncle and between flower diameter, average fresh weight of flower and weight of seeds/peduncle. Significant but negative correlation was observed between number of primary branches/plant and plant height, plant spread and days taken to flowering, flower duration and number of flowers/plant and between flowering duration and flower diameter.