Assessment of genetic variability, character association and path coefficient analysis in Chrysanthemum (Dendranthema x grandiflora Tzvelev)

Thirty-one genotypes of chrysanthemum (Dendranthema x grandiflora Tzvelev) were evaluated for nine growth and flowering related traits to assess the genetic variability, correlation and path coefficient analysis. Significant differences among genotypes for all the growth and flowering related traits were observed through analysis of variance. The range of variation was high for number of leaves plant-1 (66.17-164.50) followed by number of flowers plant-1 (30.67-116.83). The magnitude of phenotypic coefficient of variation was higher than the genotypic coefficient of variation for all the characters studied. High (>20%) PCV and GCV was recorded for plant height, number of branches plant-1, number of leaves plant-1, days to bud initiation, days to first flower opening and number of flowers plant-1. Heritability estimates ranged from 77.72% (days to optimum flowering) to 96.93% (number of flowers plant-1). High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as per cent of mean was recorded for all the traits studied. Number of flowers plant-1 exhibited positive and highly significant correlation with number of branches and leaves plant-1. Path coefficient analysis using correlation coefficients revealed that days to first flower opening (1.564) exhibited positive and very high direct effect, while,number of leaves plant-1 (0.347) and flower diameter (0.337) showed positive and high direct effect. Hence, genotypes with superior traits may be considered for further improvement.