Genetic variations and degree of correlation in four ecological variants of Gaultheria fragrantissima Wallich in Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, Western Ghats, India

The four ecological variants (ovate, lanceolate, elliptic-lanceolate and oblanceolate leaf types) of Gaultheria fragrantissima (family, Ericaceae) in Nilgiris are varied much between them in respect of 12 characters studied. The magnitudes of genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) and phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) were more or less equal for many characters and it indicates the least influence of environmental factors. Generally, the high heritability compared with high genetic advance as per cent of mean and high GCV observed for plant height, stem girth size, root length, number of branches, number of inflorescence, number of fruits, oil yield, plant biomass and population density indicate the presence of additive gene action for these characters. Leaf thickness and oil content in leaves showed significant positive correlation with the population density of the species. Hence, selection for these 2 characters in all the four variants must be effective in achieving high population density of G. fragrantissima.