Studies on Genetic Variability in Gerbera ( Gerbera jamesonii Bolus Ex. Hooker F.)

Thirteen genotypes of gerbera were evaluated under naturally-ventilated polyhouse in Completely Randomized Block Design during the year 2011-12 to determine genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance for 15 quantitative traits, based on which selection may be made. Analysis of Variance showed significant differences among genotypes for all the characters studied. Results revealed that magnitude of the Phenotypic Coefficient of Variation (PCV) was higher than Genotypic Coefficient of Variation (GCV) for all the traits, indicating greater genotype and environment interaction. High (>20%) PCV and GCV was observed for number of leaves/plant and leaf width. Heritability estimates ranged from 24.03% (number of suckers/plant/year) to 93.5% (length of ray floret). High heritability (>60%) was observed for all traits except number of suckers/plant/year, flower diameter and flower-stalk diameter. High heritability, coupled with high genetic advance over per cent of mean, was observed for number of leaves/plant, leaf length, leaf width, days to bud-burst, days to first-flower opening, disc diameter, flower-stalk length, number of ray florets per flower head with length and width of ray florets.