Genetic variability and association studies of marketable traits in gladiolus ( Gladiolus hybridus )

The experiment was conducted during 2017-18 and 2018-19 at instructional farm, College of Horticulture, Banda University of Agriculture and Technology, Banda, Uttar Pradesh, to study the genetic variation, correlation and path analysis in gladiolus ( Gladiolus hybridus Hort.) in Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh. 14 varieties of gladiolus, viz. Black Star, Peter Pears, Gold Star, Trader Horn, Pink Rose, White Prosperity, Red White, Novalux, Yellow Gold, Candyman, Willas Pink, Jester, Nathan Red and Punjab Morning were planted in randomized block design (RBD). All parameters showed significant differences indicating that genotypes have a lot of variation. Length of the spike varied from 65.07 to 110.65 cm and size of the floret from 8.27 to 9.66 cm. Mean values for time to flowering, size of floret and vase life were 109.38 days, 8.95 cm and 8.95 days, respectively. Length of rachis (19.97 and 15.90), spike (18.49 and 14.40) and florets/spike (14.88 and 12.05) showed moderate values for PCV and GCV. Maximum heritability value was oberved in days to flowering (68.22) and minimal in floret size (35.63). Positive and significant correlations were found between plant height, length of spike and rachis, florets/spike and days to flowering. Path coefficient study revealed that length of spike (1.162), days to spike initiation (0.881) and blooming time (0.392) had biggest positive direct effects on plant height.