Studies on Genetic Variability in Anthurium

A study was conducted in the thirteen Anthurium cultivars at Horticultural Research Station, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Yercaud between June 2011and 2013 for studying the genetic variability, heritability, genotypic correlation coefficient and phenotypic correlation coefficient and path coefficient were recorded for twelve characters were studied. Significant differences were observed for all the characters. The estimates of phenotypic coefficient of variance (PCV) were found higher than genotypic coefficient of variance (GCV) for all the characters. In the study, phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation were higher for leaf breadth and Spadix length indicating high variation in these characters, predicting greater scope for improvement of these two characters. High heritability along with maximum genetic gain was noted for number of flower per plant followed by number of leaves and number of suckers indcated the presence of additive gene effects which enables the direct selection. Considering correlation and path coefficients of the characters viz., plant height, leaf length, leaf breadth, number of suckers, spathelength, spathe width and spadix lengthemerged out as an important component for yield in anthurium.