Division of Horticulture and Forestry, Central Agricultural Research Institute, P.B. No. 181, Pott Blair-, 744 101, Andaman and Nicohar Islands
Present address: 1Division of Ornamental Crops, Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Hessaraghalta Lake Post Office, Bangalore-560089, Karrataka.
2Indian Institute of Spices Research, P.B. No. 1701, Mankunnu Post Office, Kozhikode (Calicut)-673012, Kerala
Correlation and path coefficient analysis were carried out for 25 genotypes of gerbera, during two seasons for 11 characters. The widest range of variation was observed in cut flower yield/m2, followed by leaf area. Heritability estimates and genetic advance were highest for cut flower yield and leaf area, which indicate additive gene action. Positive and direct correlation of number of leaves/plant with cut flower yield reveal that flower production can be increased by directly selecting for increased number of leaves. Number of ray florets had high direct correlation with flower yield but the correlation is negligible due to undesirable indirect effect, hence restricted selection have to be imposed in order to exploit direct effect.
Gerbera, genetic variability, correlation, path analysis
