Genetic variability and character association among quantitative traits in gerbera

Abstract

Ten gerbera genotypes were evaluated for 13 quantitative traits during 2011-12 and 2012-13 in RBD with three replications and pooled data were analysed. Different measures of variability, heritability and correlation and path coefficient were worked out to identify promising traits based on which selection could be made. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as per cent of mean was observed for number of leaves/ plant, leaf breadth, number of suckers/plant, disc diameter, flower stalk length and number of flowers/ plant, indicating presence of additive gene action and consequently a distinct possibility of improving these traits through selection. The number of flowers per plant was highly significant and positively correlated with leaf length, days to bud burst, days to first flower opening and flower stalk length.