Studies on genetic parameters of some off-season planted gladiolus genotypes in humid sub-Himalayan region

Successful breeding for gladiolus cultivar suitable for humid sub-Himalayan region would require definite information on the nature of inheritance and variation of the plant characters. Seven released varieties were grown during December-May in the year 2003-04 under low cost polyshade. Observations were recorded on eight plant and corm characters influencing flower and corm quality. Significant variability was observed for all the characters studied. High genotypic variance, heritability and genetic advance were recorded for corm weight, post-harvest life, and corm thickness indicating role of additive gene action for these characters. All the characters studied showed high heritability. High significant associations were observed between corm weight and corm diameter as well as between spike length and number of florets per spike. Post-harvest life was found to be positively correlated with number of florets per spike and spike length but showed negative relationship with days to flower bud initiation. Breeding for higher post harvest life should, therefore, aim at early flowering genotypes with large spike and more number of florets per spike for off-season gladiolus.