Vol. 12, Issue 1 (2023)

Author(s):
Rahul Patel, Krishna S Tomar, Ajay Kumar Singh and Rakesh Kumar

Abstract:
The present investigation was carried out to assess the extent of genetic variability, heritability, genetic advance and genetic divergence using 23 gladiolus (Gladiolus hybridus Hort.) genotypes with 27 characters. Moderate to high GCV and PCV were recorded for almost all the characters except days taken to spike initiation, days taken for colour showing stage, days taken from first floret to last floret opening in a spike, vase life and number of days taken to 50% flowering under study emphasizing the existence of variation in the population. All the characters except days taken from first floret to last floret opening in a spike, days taken to spike initiation, number of days taken to 50% flowering and vase life showed higher and moderate heritability along with higher/moderate genotypic coefficient of variation and genetic advance indicating that most likely the heritability was due to additive gene effects and the genotypes under study were highly diverse and of great potential with regard to these characters, and therefore, these are more reliable for effective phenotypic selection. The inter-cluster average D² value was maximum (2116.27) between cluster I and III followed by between cluster II and cluster III (1318.53). The minimum inter cluster distance was obtained between cluster II and cluster IV(143.00), indicated that genotypes of cluster II and cluster IV are very close to each other. The clustering pattern showed that genotypes of different geographical areas were clubbed in one group and also the genotypes of same geographical area were grouped into same cluster as well as in different cluster indicating formal relationship between geographical diversity and genetic diversity.