Gladiolus: Genetic variability

Gladiolus (Gladiolus hybridus Hort.) is grown throughout the world and it occupies 4th place in the International cut flower trade. Considering the importance of the crop and potentiality, there is a need to study variability to identify superior genotypes for successful crop improvement and crop production. Therefore an investigation in gladiolus accessions was undertaken to assess the genetic variability existing in the selected phenotype for growth, yield and quality parameters, to assess heritability, genetic advance for various characters and to study the association of characters through correlation and path coefficient analysis. The information on the nature and magnitude of variability for yield and other characters in germplasm is an important basic prerequisite for starting any systematic breeding programme to identify and develop lines or varieties. The publication will be useful to the breeders, students and farmers who are involved in crop improvement and crop production.