Variability and association studies among carnation mutants (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) in Northwestern Himalayas

The present investigation entitled “Variability and association studies among mutants of carnation ( Dianthus caryophllyus L.) in Northwestern Himalayas” was carried out at the experimental farm of the Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (HP) during 2019 to 2020. Twenty diverse genotypes of carnation ( Dianthus caryophyllus L.) including 15 mutants, 4 parents (Dark Rendezvous, Madras, Raggio de Sole and Tempo) and check (Gaudina) were evaluated to assess the extent of variability, heritability, genetic advance, genetic gain and correlation between different characters. A high phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variation was recorded for calyx splitting followed by the number of petals per flower. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance was recorded in the character number of petals per flower. High heritability coupled with a high genetic gain was recorded for characters like; calyx splitting, the number of petals per flower, vase life, duration of flowering, stem length and thickness of flower stem. Whereas, characters like number of marketable flowers per meter square, flower size, number of marketable flowers per plant and days taken for harvesting of cut stems recorded high heritability coupled with moderate genetic gain indicating selection of these characteristics for improvement. The significant positive correlation coefficient for the number of marketable flowers per plant was observed with the number of marketable flowers per meter square, vase life, bud length, thickness of flower stem and duration of flowering at both phenotypic and genotypic levels. Maximum positive direct effects cited towards the number of marketable flowers per plant were contributed by flower size followed by number of marketable flowers per meter square, plant height, duration of flowering, vase life, number of petals per flower and bud length. The direct selection of these characters will be fruitful for increasing flower yield.