Assessment of variability, genetic diversity and character association of Chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflora Tzvelve) based on qualitative and quantitative traits

Abstract

Chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflora Tzvelve) is one of the most widely cultivated herbaceous perennial flowering plants belonging to family Asteraceae. Every year many varieties are being added by the government and private agencies. So, there is wide range of variation, but very little attention has been given for its improvement. For effective selection, it is necessary to separate genetic variability from total variability, which helpful breeders to adopt suitable breeding programmes. There is a need for identification of varieties suitable for growing in different agro climatic conditions for specific purposes. Fifty genotypes of chrysanthemum were evaluated in Randomized Complete Block Design during the year 2022 (Kharif) to determine genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance for different quantitative and qualitative traits. Analysis of variance showed significant differences among genotypes for all the characters studied. Results revealed that magnitude of the Phenotypic Coefficient of Variation (PCV) was higher than Genotypic Coefficient of Variation (GCV) for all the traits viz., number of primary branches, number of secondary branches, duration of flowering, number of flowers per plant, weight of hundred flowers, yield per plant, flower diameter, total number of ray florets per flower head, petiole length, shelf life and disc diameter indicating genotype and environment interaction. highest heritability coupled with genetic advance as per cent mean was found for all the traits. The characters that endowed with high heritability with values high genetic advance as per cent mean may be used as selection criteria in genetic improvement of yield. the information of genotypic and phenotypic correlations and path coefficients analysis, it is suggested that an ideal Chrysanthemum genotype for getting higher flower yield per plant would possess more plant height, petiole length, more weight of 100 flowers and more number of flowers per plant. Therefore, selection based on these attributes would results in genetic advance for flower yield per plant.