Evaluation and variability studies in carnation genotypes

An experiment was carried out to study the genetic variability, heritability, genetic advance and genetic gain among fifty carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) genotypes. The widest range of variation was recorded by plant height (68.15 to 99.85 cm), followed by stem length (46.38 to 67.07 cm), number of days to bud formation (131.92 to 148.00), number of days to first flowering (156.54 to 174.20), flower size (5.81 to 7.78 cm), duration of flowering (11.84 to 15.71 days) and vase life (8.84 to 11.79 days). Whereas, narrowest range was observed for number of flower stems per plant (4.76 to 7.72). The magnitude of phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) was higher than genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) for all the characters studied, indicating high degree of environment influence. A moderate value of PCV along with GCV was observed for plant height, number of flowers per plant and stem length. High values for heritability was recorded for plant height followed by stem length and flower size. High heritability associated with high values of genetic advance was observed in characters like plant height and stem length. The selection on the basis of plant height, stem length, flower yield and vase life will be more effective for further breeding programme.