Studies on genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance in lisianthus (Eustoma grandiflorum (Raf.) Shinners)

The study was carried out with 12 cultivars of lisianthus which exhibited significant differences in all the characters studied. The cultivar Echo Pink showed maximum mean performance for plant height (93.43 cm) and number of shoots per plant (5.27) during harvest, while minimum was observed in Echo Lavender (51.86 cm) and Shallot Green (2.13) for the traits, respectively. The coefficient of variation found to be highest for number of buds per plant (GCV= 43.24, PCV= 43.60) and minimum for bud diameter (GCV = 6.62, PCV = 8.27). Heritability estimates were high for all the characters studied. Highest heritability was noticed for number of buds per plant (h² = 98.35). High heritability coupled with high genetic advance was noted for days taken for bud initiation (h² = 98.20, GA = 39.86) and number of buds per plant (h² = 98.35, GA = 25.03). High genetic advance as per cent mean was exhibited by number of buds per plant (88.35) while the minimum of 10.43 was noticed in bud diameter.