Genetic Divergence Analysis of Dahlia (Dahlia variabilis L.) Genotypes

The present investigation was carried out to assess the extent of genetic variability, heritability, genetic advance and genetic divergence using 35 dahlia (Dahlia variabilis L.) genotypes with 20 characters. Moderate to high GCV and PCV were recorded for almost all the characters under study emphasizing the existence of variation in the population. All the characters (except plant spread and width of the tuber) showed high heritability along with higher or 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. The inter-cluster average D2 value was maximum between the cluster V and III (D2=6704.46) and minimum inter cluster distance was obtained between cluster IV and I (D2 =1256.64).