PERFORMANCE OF GERBERA (Gerbera jamesonii L.) GENOTYPES MD … · Prof. Md. Ruhul Amin Co-supervisor Dr. Nazrul Islam Chairman PERFORMANCE OF GERBERA ( Gerbera jamesonii L.) GENOTYPES

PERFORMANCE OF GERBERA (Gerbera jamesonii L.)

GENOTYPES

MD. HASANUZZAMAN

DEPARTMENT OF HORTICULTURE AND POSTHARVEST

TECHNOLOGY SHER-E-BANGLA AGRICULTURAL

UNIVERSITY

DHAKA-1207

JUNE-2006

Prof. Md. Ruhul Amin

Co-supervisor

Dr. Nazrul Islam

Chairman

PERFORMANCE OF GERBERA ( Gerbera jamesonii L.) GENOTYPES

BY

MI). HASANUZZAMAN

REGISTRATION NO. 25176/00309

A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Agriculture,

Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka,

in partial fulfillment of the requirements

for the degree of

MASTER OF SCIENCE (MS)

IN

HORTICULTURE

SEMESTER: JANUARY- JUNE 2006

Md. Sanaullah Mollah

Supervisor

Md. Sanaullah Mollah Supervisor

DECLARATION

This is to certify that the thesis entitled, ―Performance of gerbera (Gerbera

jamesonii) genotypes.‖ submitted to the Faculty of Agriculture, Sher -e-Bangia

Agricultural University, Dhaka, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the

degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE IN HORTICULTURE, embodies the result of a

piece of bonafide research work carried out by Md. Hasanuzzaman, Registration

No. 25176/00309 under my supervision and my guidance. No part of the thesis has been

submitted for any other degree in any institutes.

I further certify that any help or sources of information, received during the course of

this investigation have been duly acknowledged.

Dated:

Dhaka, Bangladesh

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

IV

Abbreviations Explanation

GJ Gerbera jamesonii

cv Cultivar

BARI Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute

HRC Horticultural Research Centre

et al And others (at elli)

DMRT Duncan‘s Multiple Range Test

TSP Triple Super Phosphate

M P Murate of Potash

V

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

All praises are due to the ‗Almighty Allah' the Omnipotent, Omnipresent and

Omniscient, who enabled the author to pursue for the successful completion of

this research work.

1 he author at first deems it a great pleasure and honour to express his heartfelt gratitude,

deepest sense of appreciation, best regards and profound indebtedness to his reverend

research supervisor, Md. Sanaullah Mollah, Chief Scientific Officer and Head,

Floriculture Division, FIRC, BARI, Joydebpur, Gazipur, under whose scholastic

guidance, continuous supervision, valuable suggestion and instructions, constructive

criticisms, constant encouragement and inspiration throughout the research work as well

as in preparing this manuscript.

The author highly indebted and grateful to his respective teacher and co-supervisor, Prof.

Md. Ruhul Amin, Department of Horticulture and Postharvest Technology, Sher-e-

Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, for his helpful comments and suggestions,

sincere encouragement, heartfelt and generous cooperation and inspiration in improving

the manuscript.

It is also a great pleasure for the author to express his sincere and deep sense of gratitude

to Dr. Md. Nazrul Islam, Associate Professor and Chairman, Department of Horticulture

and Postharvest Technology, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, for his

encouragement and cooperation and for providing all the necessary facilities during

entire period of this programme.

The author respectfully acknowledges Md. Hasanuzzaman Akand, Assistant Professor,

Department of Horticulture and Postharvest Technology, Sher-e- Bangla Agricultural

University, Dhaka.

The author feels proud to express his sincere gratitude, grateful acknowledgement and

profound thanks to Dr. Kabita Anju-Man-Ara, Senior Scientific Officer, Floriculture

Division, HRC, BARI, Joydebpur, Gazipur, and his respectable teachers of the

Department of Horticulture and Postharvest Technology, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural

University, Dhaka, for this continual encouragement, help and valuable suggestions

during period of study.

Finally, the author is grateful to his beloved parents, brothers and sisters for their

encouragement sacrifice and support to complete this study. The Author

LIST OF CONTENTS

VI

PAGE LIST OF TABLES IX

LIST OF PLATES X

LIST OF APPENDICES XI

CHAPTER! INTRODUCTION 1-3

CHAPTER-II REVIEW OF LITERATURE 4-21

CHAPTER-III MATERIALS AND METHODS 22-34

3.1 Site 22

3.2 Soil of the experimental site 22

3.3 Climate 23

3.4 Treatments of the experiment 23

3.5 Experimental design and layout 23

3.6 Planting materials used for the experiment 24

3.7 Land preparation 24

3.8 Manures and fertilizers 24

3.9 Planting of suckers 25

3.10 Weeding 2.5

3.11 Irrigation 25

3.12 Disease and pest management 26

3.13 Harvesting of flowers 26

3.14 Collection data 26

3.14.1 Plant height (cm) 26

7

CONTENTS (Contd.)

3.14.2 Number leaves per plant

3.14.3 Plant spread (cm)

3.14.4 Number side shoot per hill

3.14.5 Number flower per plant

3.14.6 Flower size (cm2)

3.14.7 Stalk diameter (cm)

3.14.8 Vase life of gerbera

3.14.9 Days required to first spike initiation

3.14.10 Spike length (cm)

3.15 Statistical analysis

3.15.1 Estimation of genotypic and phenotypic

variance


coefficients of variation

3.15.3 Estimation of heritability

3.15.4 Estimation of genetic advance


covariance


correlation coefficients

3.15.7 Estimation of path coefficients

CONTENTS (Contd.)

CHAPTER-IV RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 35-57

Cl IAPTER-V SUMMARY 58-61

CHAPTER-VI CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATIONS 62

LITERATURES CITED 63-69

CHAPTER-VII APPENDICES i-iii

LIST OF TABLES

IX

PAC.E

24

36

45

50

53

56

No. TITLE

1 Source name of gerbera genotypes

2 Qualitative traits gerbera genotypes

3 Vegetative and floral traits of gerbera genotypes

4 Phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation, heritability,

genetic advance for different characters in gerbera genotypes

5 Genotypic and phenotypic correlation among different characters of

gerbera genotypes

6 Patli coefficient of different yield contributing characters on spike

length of gerbera genotypes

LIST OF PLATES

X

No. TITLE

1 Experimental field view under 50% shade net

2 Part of the experimental field view

3 Flower variability in different gerbera genotypes





LIST OF APPENDICES

11

No. TITLE

1 Analytical data of soil sample of experimental field

2 Monthly mean temperature, relative humidity and total

rain fall of the experimental site during the period from

September 2004 to March 2005

3 Mean square values of analysis variance of the data of

vegetative and floral traits gerbera genotypes

ABSTRACT

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the performance of gerbera genotypes at Floriculture

Division, Horticulture Research Centre, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Joydebpur,

Gazipur during the period from September 2004 to March 2005. The experiment consisted of fifteen

different gerbera genotypes viz., GJ-01, GJ-02, GJ-03, GJ-04, GJ-05, GJ-06, GJ-07, GJ- 08, GJ-09,

GJ-10, GJ-11, GJ-12, GJ-013, GJ-14, and GJ-15 and laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design

(RCBD) with three replications. Vegetative and floral traits were significantly varied for all the

genotypes. Among the different genotypes, GJ-02, GJ-11 and GJ-13 were superior for their better

vegetative and floral characters to other genotypes. The characters plant height, number of side shoot

per hill, number of flower per plant, stalk diameter and vase life exhibited high heritability (90.37%,

74.58%, 65.71%, 93.94% and 83.66% respectively) accompanied by high genetic advance (44.10%,

53.21%, 48.43%, 92.61% and 46.88% respectively). These characters had also shown medium to high

genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation. Days to flower displayed the lowest heritability

(32.96%) and genetic advance (5.74%), genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation were also

the lowest. In general, genotypic correlation coefficients were found to be high than their

corresponding phenotypic ones. The characters plant spread, number of side shoot per hill, number of

flower per plant, flower size, stalk diameter and vase life showed significant positive correlation with

spike length. Path coefficient analysis suggested that plant spread contributed maximum (0.84) to

spike length through positive direct effect. Number of leaves per plant, number of side shoot per hill,

flower size, stalk diameter and vase life had also positive direct effect (0.08, 0.70, 0.23, 0.69, and

0.009 respectively) on spike length.

CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

Gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii L.) is a herbaceous perennial flower crop with

long stalks and daisy-like flowers. A native of South Africa, it is a

popular cut flower grown throughout the world in a wide range of climatic

conditions. It is popularly known as ‗Barbeton daisy‘ or ‗Transvaal daisy‘.

The gerbera plant also is used in the preparation of traditional Chinese

medicine: tu-er-feng, derived from whole plants of gerbera, is used for

curing cold with cough and for rheumatism (Ye et ai, 1990). Gerbera

jamesonii belongs to the family Asteraceae. It grows well in the open in

tropical and subtropical regions, but in a temperate climate should be

protected from frost and cultivated in glasshouses. The genus Gerbera L.

consists of 30 species, which are of Asiatic and African origin. Among the

different species, Gerbera jamesonii is the only species under cultivation.

The development of Gerbera jamesonii as a floricultural crop is traced from

its cultivation as a novelty in South Africa to its establishment as a

commercial crop in the 1930s. The relative contribution of Gerbera

jamesonii and Gerbera viridifolia Sch.Bip. to the modern crop is unknown

but much of the cultivated germplasm can be traced back to material that

passed through the Cambridge Botanic Garden, UK and La Rosarie,

Antibes, France (Tourjee et al., 1994). It is a diploid species with the

somatic chromosome number 2n=50. The modern gerbera arose from

Gerbera jamesonii hybridized with Gerbera viridifolia and possibly other

species (Leffring, 1973). There is a wide range of variation available in

this crop.

Its magnificent inflorescence with a variety of colour has made it

attractive for use in garden decorations, such as herbaceous borders,

2

bedding, pots and for cut flowers as a long vase life (Bose et al., 2003).

The flower growers of Bangladesh are now cultivating the traditional

flower crops. In Bangladesh, gerbera was introduced recently and it is

gaining popularity. It has great potential for local as well as export

market. In Bangladesh, gerbera is mainly grown in the winter. It cannot

tolerate extreme high temperature, cold and heavy rainfall. Heavy rainfall

and water logging conditions are very much harmful for gerbera. It can be

grown on all types soil but loam soil with moist condition is better for its

desired development. There is no released variety of gerbera with high

yield potential and better quality in Bangladesh.

Though it is an important commercial flowering crop but limited a ttempt

had been made for genetic improvement (Ashwath and

Pathrasarathy,1984). An understanding of the nature and magnitude of

variability among the genetic stocks is the prime importance to the

breeder. A good knowledge of genetic wealth might at help in identifying

desirable genotypic for commercial cultivation. Because of its high cross -

pollination, hardly any genetically pure strain is available to the growers.

Lack of definite variety is one of the main constraints towards its

production. The Floriculture Division of HRC, BARI, Joydebpur, Gazipur

collected more than fifteen gerbera genotypes possessing wide

variabilities in respect of both vegetative and floral characteristics which

can be exploited for its improvement.

It is the touch -stone to a breeder to evolve high yielding varieties through

selection, either from the existing genotypes or from the segregates of a

cross. Hence, the genetic information on yield and its contributing

characters need to be properly assessed for its improvement..

Expression of different plant characters is controlled by genetic and

environmental factors. It is often difficult to know proportion the factors

of heritable and environmental variation. The progress of breeding

conditioned by magnitude, nature and interaction of genotypic and

environmental variations in the plant characters. So, the study of genetic

parameters is necessary for breeding programme. This will provide

valuable information on mode of inheritance of different characters that

would be useful in selecting plants with desirable characters to develop

new varieties or promising gerbera genotypes in the country.

Considering the above mentioned facts the present investigations were

undertaken with the following objectives:

i) To estimate the magnitude of some of the genetic parameters,

such as heritability, genetic advance and genotypic and

phenotypic co-efficient of variation etc.

ii) To understand the association pattern of different characters and

extent of direct and indirect influence of the component

characters (plant height, number of leaves, plant spread, number

of side shoot per hill, number flower per plant, flower size, stalk

diameter, vase life, days to flower) on yield.

iii) To identify superior gerbera genotype(s) under Bangladesh

condition for commercial production.

4

CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii) is a herbaceous perennial flower crop with long

leafless stalk and daisy like flowers. A native of South Africa, it is a popular

cut flower grown thought the world in a wide range of climatic conditions. A

few number of research works have been done all over the world by different

workers on the performance of gerbera genotypes and no information is

available under climatic conditions of Bangladesh. Nevertheless, some of the

important and informative works so far been done and abroad on these

aspects have been presented in this chapter.

The performance of 9 exotic cultivars of gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii) (Diablo,

Lyonella, Ornella, Sunset, Tara, Thalassa and Tiramisu, Twiggy and

Whitsun) was studied by Singh and Mandhar (2004) under fan and pad

cooled greenhouse environments at the Indian Institute of Horticulture

Research, Bangalore, Karnataka, India from July 1998 to June 1999. The

greatest plant height (48.83 cm), and number of suckers (5.16) and leaves

(46.27) per plant were obtained with Tiramisu, Lyonella and Ornella,

respectively, while the lowest values of the aforementioned parameters were

recorded for Whitsun (47.88 cm), Sunset (3.82) and Tiramisu (26.74),

respectively. Flowering was earliest (47.88 and 57.47 days for 50 and 100%

flowering, respectively) in Whitsun and latest (83.10 and 88.30 days) in

Tiramisu. The greatest diameter of flower (10.70 cm) and length of flower

stalk (58.27 cm) were recorded for Tiramisu and Lyonella, respectively. The

thickest (0.70 cm diameter) and heaviest (22.20 g) flower stalks were

observed in Twiggy, whereas the thinnest (0.60 cm diameter) and lightest

(13.94 g) stalks were observed in Whitsun. The highest total number of

flowers produced per plot in a year,

5

and the mean number of flowers per plant and per month in a year were

obtained with Ornella (1058.00, 47.26 and 5.02, respectively), followed by

Thalassa (988.00, 44.52 and 4.61), whereas the lowest were obtained with

Tara (591.33, 29.48 and 2.82), followed by Sunset (600.00, 31.15 and 3.11).

The percentage of 1st grade flowers was highest in Lyonella (73.85), Sunset

(70.41) and Tiramisu (70.54), and lowest in Tara (47.16) and Thalassa

(47.87). The highest percentage of discard flowers was recorded for Thalassa

(37.30), followed by Whitsun (20.47). Based on the overall performance,

Lyonella, Ornella, Tiramisu and Twiggy are recommended for commercial

cultivation. The temperature inside the greenhouse could be controlled from

24.7 to 30.5 deg C when the ambient temperature varied from 27.4 to 35.5

deg C. The lowest temperatures of 8.0 and 6.7 deg C were recorded during

April and March, respectively. The RH in the greenhouse varied from 44 to

77%, while the outside RH ranged from 20 to 67% when the rate of

ventilation was 1018 cubic meter per minute.

Anuradha and Gowda (2000) studied the association of cut flower yield with

growth and floral characters in gerbera. In studies on 25 gerbera genotypes at

Bangalore, cut flower yield exhibited a high level of positive and significant

correlation with number of leaves per plant, weight of ray florets and days

taken to flower opening. Path analysis revealed that number of leaves per

plant had the greatest positive direct effect on flower yield.

Ozcelik et cil. (1999) conducted the use of different growing media in

greenhouse gerbera cut flower production. Perlite, peat, pumice and rockwool

were used either alone or in combination for cut gerbera cv. Conga

production in a greenhouse trial in Antalya, Turkey in 1994-95.

6

The effects of these growing media on flower yield and quality were

investigated. After 15 months, the highest total flower yield (59.31

flowers/plant) was obtained from the plants grown in peat + pumice (1:1,

v/v), followed by plants grown in peat (57.71 flowers/plant). Effects on

flower quality were generally less significant than effects on yield.

Labeke et al. (1999) observed the effect of minimum heating level on

production and quality of Gerbera. A greenhouse study was carried out in

Belgium to investigate the effects of heating on the growth of Gerbera cv.

Tiffany (small flowers) and cv. Optima (large flowers). Gerbera was

planted on 11 August 1998 on rock wool mats (6/m2 for cv. Tiffany and 4/m2

for cv. Optima). Two independent heating systems (above-ground and sub-

surface) were used. The day/night temperature regime was 20/18°C.

Treatments included the simultaneous use of both systems (control), and the

use of the above-ground system if the minimum heating level was not

reached with use of the sub-surface system alone (at 50°C). Data were

collected weekly (until June 1999) on the number of flowers/plant, stem

length, and weight and diameter of flowers. For cv. Optima, the sub -surface

heating regime resulted in a significant increase in the number of flowers/m 2

(145.8 compared with 117.6 in the control treatment), and significantly

shorter stems (between September and April). Non-significant differences in

flower production were found for cv. Tiffany (286.8 and 240 flowers/m2 for

the 2 regimes, respectively). However, stem length and weight were

significantly lower with the subsurface heating system.

7

Labeke et al. (1999) resulted that supplementary light in gerbera not always a

success. A greenhouse study was carried out in Belgium to investigate the

effects of supplementary light on gerbera cv. Tiffany (small flowers) and cv.

Optima (large flowers). Gerbera was planted on 11 August 1998 on rockwool

mats (6/m2 for cv. Tiffany and 4/m2 for cv. Optima). Supplementary light

(approx. 3000 lux) was used when natural light reached 150 W/m 2. Data were

collected weekly (until June 1999) on the number of flowers/plant, stem

length, weight and diameter of flowers. Supplementary light increased the

number of flowers/nr of cv. Optima significantly (by 33.5%), especially

between December and May (compared to the control). Supplementary light

also resulted in longer stems (between December and May) and heavier

flowers (between October and March). Supplementary light increased flower

production in cv. Tiffany slightly (by 6%). However, significant increases

were measured for flower diameter (between October and December), stem

length (between December and April), and stem weight (between October

and May).

The effects were studied by Benavente et al. (1998) of soil heating to 18°C in

6 gerbera cultivars growing in a sand : peat (3:1 v/v) substrate in an

experimental heated greenhouse in Madrid, Spain. Flowers were harvested

once or twice/week between August 1994 and March 1997. Overall results

(in heated and unheated soil) indicated that yields were highest in cv. Fame

(4.23 flowers/plant per month) and lowest in Impala (1.84 flowers/plant per

month). In a comparison of planting location within the greenhouse, yields

were higher in plants on the west side of the greenhouse compared with the

east side. The effects of soil heating on yields varied by cultivar and season.

Soil heating increased cut flower yields by 10-40% in cultivars Impala and

Cerise, had no significant effect

on yields of eultivars Avanti, Fame and Party, and lowered yields slightly in

cv. Olympic.

Huang and Harding (1998) studies quantitative analysis of correlations

among flower traits in Gerbera hybrida, Compositae. III. Genetic var iability

and structure of principal component traits. A sample of 36 flower traits

consisting of six morphological categories in the Davis population of gerbera

was restructured into phenotypic and genetic principal component traits. The

first 5 phenotypic principal component traits accounted for 62% of the total

phenotypic variance of the 36 traits and have moderate to high heritabilities.

The first 5 genetic principal component traits accounts for 97% of total

genetic variance and all have high heritabili ty. Morphological structure of

these component traits suggest an underlying process identified by the first

genetic principal component involving largely trans and disk floret traits. The

results of this study indicate that the quantitative genetic structu re of the

gerbera flower is controlled by a few independent components and that

principal component analysis is a useful tool to reveal variation in this

structure. These composite traits are heritable and are expected to respond to

selection.

Choudhury et al. (1998) earned out an experiment to observe performance of

some gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii) eultivars under the agro-climatic condition

of Jorhat, Assam. Ten eultivars of gerbera were evaluated for growth and

flowering parameters at Jorhat during 1996-97. Cultivars Popular, Evening

Bells, Red Monarch and General Kaiser were promising under Jorhat

conditions.

9

Aswath et al. (1998) showed dry storage as an aid in selection for longevity

in gerbera. Flowers of 23 varieties of Gerbera hybrida were dry stored for 24

and 48 hours. The structural strength and turgor strength of the stem was

separately measured using parameters such as total voids, percentage inner

conduit, porosity and void ratio. The varieties were classified into three

groups based on magnitude of stem bend and recovery. A probable crossing

programme between genotypes of class I and II was suggested to achieve

structurally strong stems with high water absorption capacity. The character

percentage inner conduit was found to be governed by dominant and epistatic

genes. Water absorption is directly related to percentage inner conduit and is

thus considered an important character for selecting varieties for long

transportation periods. Correlation studies indicated that puncturing the stem,

cutting the stem and keeping the stem in warm water helped in high

absorption of water, which in turn allows the flower stalk to return to a

normal position after dry storage.

Mahanta et al. (1998) studies on variability and heritability of some

quantitative characters in gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii). Ten cultivars of

gerbera were evaluated for 14 characters in trials conducted at Assam

Agricultural University. For all these characters, data are tabulated on range,

mean, genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variability, heritability and

genetic advance. Plant height, vase life, flower size exhibited greater genetic

variability and high heritability coupled with high genetic advance. It is

suggested that these characters be used as selection criteria for the

improvement of gerbera. Broad-sense heritability estimates were very high

for all the characters except days to flower.

10

Aswath et al. (1998) carried out an experiment to trial role of biochemical

component in vase life of gerbera. In trials carried out in 1992-94 on 23

gerbera cultivars, the biochemical components (total sugars, reducing sugars,

non-reducing sugars, phenols and orthodihydric phenols) of the fresh stem

and exudates were analyzed. Total sugars and reducing sugars classified

based on their biochemical components. The presence of phenols was found

in greater quantities higher up the stem. The cultivars were differed among

cultivars while OD phenols were absent in exudates. A correlation was found

between total sugars of the fresh stem and vase l ife, indicating external

application of sugar may increase vase life.

Mahanta et al. (1998) conducted an experiment for correlation and path

coefficient analysis in gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii). Character association

analysis among 14 different characters in a set of 10 gerbera genotypes

revealed highly significant positive correlations with number of

flowers/clump and leaf area at both the phenotypic and genotypic level and

number of suckers at the genotypic level only. The path analysis revealed

that leaf area, girth of stalk and days to flower bud opening had high direct

effects. The significant positive correlation of leaf area with flower

number/clump could thus be attributed to the high positive direct effect of

the characters. The non-significant associations of plant height, number of

leaves, days to flower bud visibility, size of flower and shelf life with

number of flowers/clump were largely due to their high negative direct effect

on the dependent variable. Thus, the characters leaf area, girth of s talk and

days to flower bud opening could be considered for selection to improve

upon the number of flowers/clump, area, girth of stalk and days to flower bud

opening had high direct effects. The significant positive correlation of leaf

area with flower number/clump could thus be attributed to the high positive

direct effect of the characters.

11

The non-significant associations of plant height, number of leaves, days to

flower bud visibility, size of flower and shelf life with number of

flowers/clump were largely due to their high negative direct effect on the

dependent variable. Thus, the characters leaf area, girth of stalk and days

to flower bud opening could be considered for selection to improve upon

the number of flowers/clump.

Kaur et al. (1996) showed effect of modified environments on plant growth

and flowering production of gerbera. From 15 May 1991 to 15 October

1991, seedlings of Gerbera jamesonii were maintained under Rambo-plastic

nets permitting 85% and 75% natural light intensity. Plants grown under

plastic nets produced twice the number of leaves (37) and flowers (10)

with better stem length and flower diameter, as compared to plants grown

under natural light intensity. The chlorophyll content of leaves was

maximum (2.417 mg/g of fresh weight) from the plants grown under net

permitting 75% of natural light intensity and was minimum (1.551 mg/g of

fresh weight) from plants grown under natural conditions throughout the

growing period. It is concluded that increased rate of plant growth and

flower production is the result of reduced light intensity only, because air

temperature under nets did not differ from the open due to free movement

of air through nets. In the second experiment, seedlings were covered with

plastic (as complete cover, overhead cover, without cover for control)

from November 1990 to February, 1991. The highest number of flowers

(32/plant) was produced by the plants maintained under complete cover

but the difference in flower yield and flower quality was only numerically

significant.

Wernett et al. (1996) conducted an experiment of postharvest longevity of

cut-flower Gerbera. II. Heritability of vase life. Intensive selection to

improve vase life was performed on a sample population of Gerbera x

hybrida from a broad source of germplasm. Progeny of a 5 x 5 dial lei cross

yielded estimates of narrow sense heritability (lr = 0.28) and broad sense

heritability (H2 = 0.28) for vase life based on a mean of 1.96 measurements

per plant. Additive gene action is postulated to control this character since

the difference between total genotypic variance and additive genetic variance

components was small. Repeatability (r = 0.57) based on a single

measurement per plant was moderately high.

Wernett et al. (1996) studied the postharvest longevity of cut-flower gerbera

and response to selection for vase life components. A broad source of

Gerbera x hybrida germplasm was evaluated for vase life. Senescence mode,

i.e. bending or folding of stems or wilting of ligulae, was also recorded for

flowers evaluated. Intensive selection was practiced to improve vase life.

About 10% of the plants from a sample population were selected for having

flowers with long vase life. Progeny means for vase life resulting from a

topcross between these plants and cv. Appleblossom were used to select 5

plants (about 1.5% of the sample population) whose flowers had a long vase

life. A diallel cross using these 5 plants as parents resulted in a progeny

population with a mean vase life 3.4 days longer than that of the initial

sample population. Increases in vase life means for days to bending, folding

and wilting were 0.3, 3.5 and 1.2 days, respectively. Plants with flowers

which senesced due to wilting had the longest mean vase life before and after

breeding. Changes in the proportions of senescence modes in the diallel

generation, relative to the parental generation, were observed; bending

decreased, while folding and wilting increased. Frequencies of bending,

folding and

13

wilting were compared with vase life means for 10 progenies. The proportion

of bending generally decreased as vase life increased.

Maloupa et al. (1996) observed the effects of substrate and irrigation

frequency on growth, gas exchange and yield of gerbera cv. Fame. To

evaluate the performance of gerbera cv. Fame plants grown in bags

containing perlite, 1:1 peat : perlite or pumice at two irrigation frequencies

(8 or 16 times per day), plant growth, photosynthetic rate, stomatal

conductance, leaf transpiration, leaf water potential, evapotranspiration and

flower yield were measured 4-6 months from planting. Comparison was made

with plants grown in soil. The number of flowers produced per month was

highest in the peat + perlite medium and lowest on pumice. Irrigation

frequency had little effect on any of the parameters measured. Photosynthetic

rate was higher in plants grown on soil than in those grown on the other

media. Evapotranspiration was highest in plants grown on peat + perlite.

Wernett et al. (1996) carried out an experiment of post harvest longevity of

gerbera as a cut flower and heritability of its vase life. Intensive selection to

improve vase life was performed on a sample population of Gerbera x

hybrida from a broad source of germplasm. Progeny of a 5x5 diallel cross

yielded estimates of narrow sense heritability (h2 = 0.28) and broad sense

heritability (H2 = 0.28) for vase life based on a mean of 1.96 measurements

per plant. Additive gene action is postulated to control this character since

the difference between total genotypic variance and additive genet ic variance

components was small. Repeatability (r = 0.57) based on a single

measurement per plant was moderately high. Heritability ranged from 22 to

39%.

14

Tourjee et al. (1995) evaluated of complex segregation analysis of gerbera

flower colour. The distribution of hue (CIELAB colour notation) classes

among flowers of the Davis, California, USA population of gerbera

(Gerbera jamesonii) appears bimodal. This suggests that the genetic control

of hue is determined by the segregation of a gene with large effect

modified by additional genes with smaller effects. Complex segregation

analysis (CSA), routinely employed in human genetic epidemiology, was

used to study both qualitative and quantitative variation. CSA applies

pedigree analysis through the consideration of transmission probabilities

to optimize likelihood functions of various genetic models. Applying this

technique to study flower hue in a sample representing generations 14, 15

and 16 of the Davis population, allowed identification of a putative

dominant major gene with genotypic values for the dominant homozygote,

heterozygote and recessive homozygote of 32, 32 and 71 degrees,

respectively. This corresponds to the modes of the hue frequency

distribution for the population. The putative major gene represents 0.66 of

the total variation. The residual parent offspring correlation measures the

genetic contribution to the remainder of the variance.

Eck et al. (1995) observed the colours of florets of several gerbera

(<Gerbera jamesonii Bolis ex Adlam) cultivars measured with a

colorimeter. The colour variation between several gerbera cultivars were

analyzed with a tristimulus colorimeter. A pilot study with a three

cultivars (Joyce, Beauty and Marleen) showed that the flower colour

variation between cultivars and colour effects during the growing season

can be calculated quantitatively on the basis of data measured by the

colorimeter. On the basis of these results the colour differences between

16 gerbera cultivars were measured. A consistent number of cultiva rs

15

were distinct on the basis of colorimetric data and visual colour assessments.

The consequences of the use of a colorimeter for gerbera breeding and the

granting of plant breeders' rights are discussed.

Amariutei et al. (1995) conducted an experiment to observe physiological and

biochemical changes of cut gerbera inflorescences during vase life. Some

physiological and biochemical changes in cut Gerbera jamesonii cv. Red

Marleen inflorescences were evaluated during vase life in distilled water and

preservative solution (2.5% sucrose + 150 ppm 8-HQS + 200 ppm KC1).

Ligula cell membrane permeability measured as electrolyte leakage from

ligulas was 1.4 times greater in inflorescences held in distilled water than in

those held in preservative solution. Conductivity of the preservative solution

diminished during the first day of vase life and then increased. Conductivity

of the control (distilled water) increased by 334 (iS on day 7 of vase life

compared with t-hat observed on the day 1. The rate of respiration, fresh

weight and vase life of inflorescences held in preservative solution were

greater than in those held in distilled water. The colour of ligulas intensified

during vase life due to an increase in anthocyanin and carotenoid pigment

contents. After 5 days the colour'intensity was greater in inflorescences held

in water than in those held in preservative solution.

Fakhri et al. (1995) observed the effects of substrate and frequency of

irrigation on yield and quality of three Gerbera jamesonii cultivars. The

effects of substrate (perlite 1-5 mm, peat + perlite in a 1:1 mixture or washed

pumice 5-10 mm) irrigated 8 or 16 times/day for 1 min on yield and flower

quality of gerbera cultivars Fame, Rosabella and Sunspot were compared

during a 6-month growth period with plants grown in soil and drip-irrigated

for 10 min/day. Peat + perlite gave better or similar flower

16

yield and quality compared with soil; pumice gave the lowest performance,

though still satisfactory. Plant growth and yield were unaffected by i rrigation

frequency and the high frequency resulted the surplus nutrient solution being

lost in drainage. Fame (single yellow) gave the largest yield (5.96-6.20

flowers/plant in peat + perlite) and flower diameter (11.2-12.15 cm), whereas

Sunspot (single orange) had the lowest yield (3.42-5.46 flowers) and the

longest stems (57.8-70.1 cm).

Martinez et al. (1995) studied effects of substrate warming in soilless culture

on gerbera crop performance under seasonal variations. Gerbera cv. Fame

was grown in perlite (3-5 mm) or attapulgite [palygorskite] substrates which

were or were not heated to a minimum temperature of 19°C. After 2 years of

use, both materials monitored good stability and bulk density did not change

substantially with change in water status of the substrate. Air capacity was

high for both materials but decreased in attapulgite after 2 years with

heating. Easily available water and water buffer capacity were very limited,

especially for attapulgite. Substrate heating increased total water

consumption by 130-140% in attapulgite and 35%) in perlite. When no

heating was used perlite consumed 22% more water than attapulgite.

Increased water consumption by plants growing in heated substrates

continued after the winter and spring heating season had ended. .Seasonal

adaptation of plants was analyzed in terms of transpiration, stomatal

conductance and leaf water potential. Significant differences were found in

flower production between substrates at the end of the production cycle (7

May) - 35.3 and 26.1 flowers/plant in perlite and attapulgite and 36.6 and

26.1 flowers in heated and unheated substrates, respectively. Between

October and March yields were: perlite 25.3 flowers, attapulgite 19.0

flowers, heated substrate 25.9 flowers, unheated substrate 17.8 flowers/plant.

17

Doom et al. (1994) conducted an experiment to effect of dry storage on scape

bending in cut Gerbera jamesonii flowers. The effect of dry storage on scape

bending in cut flowers was investigated in 9 Gerbera jamesonii cultivars

(Cora, Donatella, Liesbeth, Mickey, Nikita, Regina, Rosamunde, Simonetta

and Terrafame). Freshly cut flowers placed in water for 14 days in summer or

winter showed no bending, except for cultivars Cora and Liesbeth. During

the summer, dry storage (4 days at 1°C) had no effect on most cultivars but

increased the curvature in cultivars Cora and Liesbeth, whereas in winter dry

storage increased bending in all cultivars tested. Amongst the cultivars

tested, no differences were found in water potential after dry storage nor in

the water balance during vase life. The scape curvature after dry storage in

winter was not correlated with FW of the flower head or the uppermost 12

cm of the scape, nor with scape diameter at 12 cm from the flower head. The

percentage DW of the scapes, however, was lowest in Cora and Liesbeth,

which may explain why they are apt to bend.

Early development of gerbera as a floricultural crop. The development of

Gerbera jamesonii as a floricultural crop is traced from its collection as a

novelty in South Africa to its establishment as a commercial crop in the

1930s. The origin of the cultivated germplasm, Gerbera jamesonii and Gerbera

viridifolia, is discussed, as is breeding work carried out following its

introduction to Europe, and later, the USA. Breeding for cold hardiness in

temperate climates was an early objective. The relative contribution of

Gerbera jamesonii and Gerbera viridifolia to the modern crop is unknown, but

much of the cultivated germplasm can be traced to material that passed

through the Cambridge Botanic Gardens, UK, and La Rosarie, Antibes,

France (Tourjee et al., 1994).

18

Wahi et al. (1991) studied a factor analysis in gerbera. Factor analysis was

performed using morphological traits in 31 genotypes of gerbera. Phenotypic

correlation matrices indicated that flower number/plant is increased by

selection for shoots/plants and leaves/plant. Results from genotypic

correlation matrices advocated selection for flower diameter, flower stalk

length, leaves/plant and number of days from flower bud appearance to

opening. Both correlation matrices showed leaf size to be related to flower

longevity.

A study was conducted by Dambre et al. (1990) to observe assimilation

lighting of gerbera on substrate. In a glasshouse trial with the gerbera

cultivars Rosamunde, Terra Fame and Beauty grown on rockwool on the

ebb-and-flow system, with a 16-hours day, assimilation lighting (10 W/m at

plant height) was applied or not from Oct. onwards. Data for both groups are

presented on the effects on average flower numbers/plant, and average

flower stalk length, flower diameter and weight, assessed at monthly

intervals from October to early February. Flower numbers/plant of

Rosamunde and Beauty were enhanced in December and January and flower

quality and weight of all cultivars were improved from November or

December onwards, compared with plants receiving no assimilation lighting.

Only with Beauty, however, were the additional costs of lighting justified by

the greater returns.

Thangaraj et al. (1990) studies on the vase life of gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii

Bolus). Freshly cut flowers of 24 accessions, placed in glass tubes with no

water, were held at room temperature for 24 hours. Data are tabulated on

weight loss, flower stalk bending, petal drooping, petal necrosis and v ase

life. The following accessions were found suitable for use as cut flowers: GJ

8, GJ 10, GJ 16, GJ 18, GJ 23 and GJ 44. In these,

no flower stalk bending, petal drooping and petal necrosis were observed

after 24 hours.

Put et al. (1990) carried out an experiment of micro-organisms from freshly

harvested cut flower stems and developing during the vase life of

chrysanthemum, gerbera and rose cultivars. A wide variety of micro-

organisms, bacteria and fungi, was isolated from freshly harvested cut flower

stems and from vase contents of chrysanthemum cv. spider, gerbera cultivars

appelbloesem and fleur, and rose cv. sonia. fungal species were isolated

much more frequently than previously recorded. Bacterial genera, present on

the stems, were also present in the corresponding vase water. The dominant

initial stem microflora, Enterobacter, Bacillus spp. and fungi, lost their

dominance in the vase water, which after 3 days of vase life showed a

predominance of Pseudomonas spp. The longer the vase life, the greater were

the changes in the microflora of the vase water, which later again showed a

predominance of Enterobacter spp. and often also of Bacillus spp. After 10

days of vase life, fungal growth increased markedly in chrysanthemum and

gerbera vase water. The unique ecological conditions in the vase fluid and,

to a lesser extent, the antagonistic activities of many of the microbial species

of the mixed vase flora will have led to the initial predominance of

Pseudomonas spp. and to typical changes in the dominant flora during the

course of the flowers' vase life. The microbial load on stems of cut roses was

much lower than those of chrysanthemum and gerbera stems. The end of the

vase life of the rose flowers was characterized by normal senescence

symptoms or by weak wilting of leaves and flowers. In chrysanthemum and

gerbera, however, an extensive water stress developed.

20

Dufault et al. (1990) observed that nitrogen and potassium fertility and plant

populations influence field production of gerbera. Gerbera seedl ings (cv.

Florist Strain Yellow) were planted in the field in drip-irrigated beds

mulched with white-on-black plastic film (white side up) at plant densities of

24000, 36000 or 72000 plants/ha. N and K fertilizers were each applied at

55, 110 or 220 kg/ha. In the 1st year of a 2-year study, the number of

marketable flowers increased as both N and K rates increased up to 110

lcg/ha, but as the N rate was increased to 220 kg/ha cull flower production

increased. In the 2nd year, marketable and cull yields increased as N rate

increased but increasing K rate had no effect on yields. Marketable and cull

yields also increased as plant density increased from 24000 to 72000

plants/ha in both years. Flower size and quality were unaffected by planting

density. N and K rates had no effect on flower size, quality or vase life in

either year.

Gagnon and Dansereau (1990) reported that influence of light and

photoperiod on growth and development of gerbera. Gerbera jamesonii cv.

Happipot during autumn/winter 1987 and on Gerbera jamesonii cv. Tempo

during winter/spring 1988. Both cultivars were grown under 30, 50 or 90 µ

mol m-2 -1 with a 16-h photoperiod or 60µmol m-2s-1 with a 20-hours

photoperiod. Light treatments were provided by 400-W HPS lamps. Control

plants were kept under ambient light conditions. The growth, development

and flowering of Gerbera jamesonii cv. Happipot were significantly increased

under all light treatments compared with the control. Highest plant width,

height, shoot DW and number of buds and flowers and lowest number of

days to flowering were obtained under the 90µ. mol m-2 s-1 for 16 hours

treatment. Light treatments had no significant effect on plant width and

height for cv. Tempo. However shoot DW and leaf area were signific antly

higher under the 60 mol m-2 s-

i for 20 hours light treatment than in the control. The 60 mol m' 2 s-1 for 16

hours light treatment resulted in significantly higher flower number in cv.

Tempo than in the control. The 90 µmol m -2 s-1 for 16 hours light treatment

reduced the number of days to flowering (production time) by 23 days and 11

days for cv. Happipot and Tempo, respectively. The various light treatments

had more effect on plant growth, development and flowering in the autumn-

winter study than in the winter-spring study and this was probably due to

increased ambient light conditions during the winter -spring study.

Accati and Jona (1989) carried out an experiment to find out influencing

gerbera cut flower longevity. More than 300 gerbera cultivars exist and they

differ in weight, diameter and form of inflorescence which may be either

simple, semi-double or double. Stem diameter and weight differ from one

cultivar to another as do vase life and behaviour through senescence. The

influence of these parameters was investigated and none was found to be

critical in extending vase life. Because few experiments have been carried

out on the use of chemicals for extending gerbera vase life, this field was

investigated. A mixture of 300 p.p.m. 8- hydroxyquinoline sulphate, 300

p.p.m. BNA (sodium benzoate) 10-4 M AOA (aminooxyacetic acid), 10-4 M

3,4,5-T and 20 g/litre sucrose appeared to be the best lceeping-solution.

Furthermore, since various cultivars exhibit different osmotic pressures, this

character was related to longevity and osmotic pressure of the preservative

solution was adapted to the level of the stem osmotic pressure.

MATERIALS AND METHODS • ^

CHAPTER III

f* . <V*

22

CHAPTER III

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The field experiment was carried out at the Floriculture Division,

Horticulture Research Centre, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute,

Joydebpur, Gazipur. The materials and method used in conducting the

experiment have been presented in this chapter under the following heads:

3.1 Site

The present experiment was carried out at Horticulture Research Centre,

Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Joydebpur, Gazipur during the

period from September 2004 to March 2005 to investigate the performance

of 15 gerbera genotypes. The location of the site is at 24.09° N Latitude and

90.26° E Longitudes at an elevation of 8.4 meter from sea level (Anon.,

1995).

3.2 Soil of the experimental site

The soil of the experimental field was clay loam in texture having p" around

6.00. The soil belongs to the Chita soil series of red brown terrace

(Brammer, 1971 and Shaheed, 1984). The land was well drained with good

irrigation facilities that is good for gerbera production. Soil analyti cal data

have been presented in Appendix I.

3.3 Climate

The experimental site is situated under the sub-tropical climatic zone which

was characterized by heavy rainfall during the month of April to September

and scanty rainfall during the rest of the year . The meteorological data in

respect of monthly maximum and minimum air temperature, rainfall, relative

humidity as recorded by Metrological Department, BARI, Joydebpur,

Gazipur during the experimental period have been presented in Appendix II.

3.4 Treatments of the experiment

There was single factor in this experiment. The factor including fifteen

genotypes of gerbera which are as follows: GJ-01, GJ-02, GJ-03, GJ-04, GJ-

05, GJ-06, GJ-07, GJ-08, GJ-09, GJ-10, GJ-11, GJ-12, GJ-13, GJ-14 and GJ-

15.

3.5 Experimental design and layout

The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD)

with three replications. The whole experimental area was 360 m 2 (30.0mx

12.0m) that was divided into 3 blocks. Each block was divided into fifteen

plots where 15 treatments were allotted at random. Thus there were

altogether 45 unit plots in the experiment. The size of the unit plot was 3mx

1,5m. The distance between the block was 1.0m and between the plots was

0.5m. The plots were raised up to 0.25 m.

24

3.6 Planting materials used for the experiment

In the experiment fifteen (15) gerbera genotypes were collected from

different sources. The sources of the gerbera genotypes are summarized in

Table 1.

The land of the experimental plot was first opened on last week of August

2004 with a Power tiller and then it was exposed to the sun for 7 days prior

to the next ploughing. Thereafter, the land was ploughed and cross ploughed

several times with a Power tiller to obtain a good tilth. After ploughing,

laddering was done for breaking up the large clods of the soil and for

levelling the surface of the land. All the weeds and stubbles were removed

from the land just after laddering. Special care was taken to remove the

rhizomes of mutha grass. The basal doses of manure (well decomposed cow

dung) and fertilizer were applied during the final land preparation and

incorporated into the soil.

Table 1. Source name of fifteen (15) gerbera genotypes Genotypes Source of collection

GJ-01 India

GJ-02 India

GJ-03 India

GJ-04 India

GJ-05 Thailand

GJ-06 Thailand

GJ-07 Thailand

GJ-08 Thailand

GJ-09 Thailand

GJ-10 Malaysia

GJ-11 Thailand

GJ-12 Malaysia

GJ-13 Malaysia

GJ-14 Malaysia

GJ-15 Malaysia

3.7 Land preparation

25

3.8 Manures and fertilizers

The total amount of well decomposed cow dung; TSP and MP were applied

during the final land preparation. Urea was applied in two equal installments

at 25 and 50 days after planting the sucker.

3.9 Planting of suckers

Suckers were planted at 7 cm depth in furrows on September following the

spacing 30 x 30 cm under 50% shade net. Total number of sucker per plot

was 50 and total number required suckers in the experiment were 2250.

3.10 Weeding

The field was weed when necessary.

Manures/fertilizers Dose/ha Dose/plot

Cow dung lOt 162 kg

TSP 225 kg 3.64 kg

MP 190 kg 3.07 kg

26

3.11 Irrigation

Gerbera needs irrigation when necessary at frequent intervals. However,

water logging should be avoided, as it is harmful to plants.

3.12 Disease and pest management

Diseases can be a major factor limiting gerbera production. The

experimental crop was infected by Powdery mildew during the early growing

stage. The disease was controlled by spraying Dithane M-45. The fungicide

was sprayed two times at 15 days interval.

The crop was also attacked by mites during the growing stage. The mite was

controlled by spraying Omite @ 1.5 ml/L. The insecticide was sprayed one

time after 7 days of planting of suckers.

3.13 Harvesting of flowers:

The spikes were harvested from 23 December 2004 (112.0 days after) when

the flower reached commercial stage (two whorls of ray florets open).

3.14 Collection of data

Data were collected from 10 plants selected at random from each unit plot.

Data were collected in respect of the following parameters:

3.14.1 Plant height (cm)

Plant height refers to the length of the plant from ground level up to shoot

apex. Height of 10 randomly selected plants of each unit plot was measured

and the mean was calculated. It was measured in cm.

27

3.14.2 Number of leaves per plant

Number of leaves per plant was recorded by counting all the leaves from 10

randomly selected plants of each unit plot and the mean was calculated.

3.14.3 Plant spread (cm)

The plant spread was measured by measuring scale in cross way.

3.14.4 Number of side shoot per hill

Number of side shoot per hill was recorded by counting which were

produced by per hill and then mean was calculated.

3.14.5 Number of flower per plant

Number of flowers producing per plant was counted and recorded.

3.14.6 Flower size

Flower size was measured by a measuring scale in cross way and then

mean was calculated.

3.14.7. Stalk diameter

Diameter of stalk was determined at base of stalk by slide calipers and

expressed in cm.

3.14.8 Vase life of gerbera

Two spikes were used from each plot. The flower spikes were harvested

when the flower reached commercial stage (two whorls of ray flo rets open).

The flower spikes were carried out to the Horticulture Research Centre

Laboratory, BARI, Joydebpur, Gazipur to study the vase life of gerbera

under distilled water. For recording vase life used plastic bucket with

distilled water. In laboratory the maximum temperature was 26.04°c and

minimum temperature was 13.45°c. The maximum relative humidity was

89.09% and minimum was 55.08%.

28

3.14.9 Days required to first spike initiation

It was recorded by counting the days from planting to first visible spike

initiation of plants from each unit plot.

3.14.10 Spike length

Length of spike was measured from spike base to the tip of the spike.

3.15 Statistical analysis

The collected data for various characters were statistically analyzed using

MSTAT-C computer package programme. The mean for all the treatments

was calculated and the analysis of variance for each of the characters was

performed by F (variance ratio) test. The difference between treatment

means were evaluated by Duncan‘s Multiple Range (DMRT) test (Gomez

and Gomez, 1984)..

3.15.1. Estimation of genotypic and phenotypic variances

Genotypic and phenotypic variances were estimate according to formula

given by Johnson et al. (1955).

MSV –MSe Genotypic variance (σ g) = — --- ----- L

r

Where,

MSV = Mean sum of squares for genotypes

MSe = Mean sum of squares for error

r = Number of replications

29

Phenotypic variance (σ2p) = σ2

g+ σ2c

Where,

σ2 g, = Genotypic variance

σ2 c = Mean square for error

3.15.2. Estimation of genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of

variation

Genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation were calculated

according to the following formula given by Burton (1952):

Genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) = -w- x 100 X

Where,

o2 g = Genotypic variance

X = population mean

/ 2 Phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) = —xl00

X

Where,

r 2

6― p = Phenotypic

variance X -Population

mean

3.15.3. Estimation of heritability

Heritability in broad sense (h b ) was estimated by the formula as

suggested by Johnson et al. (1955).

h\ (%) = —x 100 a―p

'2

Where,

30

o― g = Genotypic variance

o2 p = Phenotypic variance

3.15.4. Estimation of genctic advance

The expected genetic advance (GA) = h2b. k. op

Where, 2

h b = Heritability in broad sense k = Selection

intensity which is equal to 2. 06 at 5%

Op = Phenotypic standard deviation

Genetic advance in percentage of mean was calculated by the formula

given by Comstock and Robinson (1952) as follows:

GA GA (%)= -xl00 X

Where,

GA = Genetic advance X = Population mean

3.15.5. Estimation of genotypic and phenotypic

Genotypic and phenotypic covariance were calculated using the following

formula (Singh and Chaudhary, 1985):

, n MSPV - MSPC Genotypic covariance Covg(xy) = ------- ------- -

Where,

MSPV= Mean sum of products of characters x and y

MSPC= Mean sum of products due to error of characters x and y r =

Number of replication

Phenotypic covariance Covp(xy) = Covg(xy) + MSPC

31

Where,

Covv = Genotypic covariance

MSPC= Mean sum of products due to error of characters x and y

3.15.6. Estimation of genotypic and phenotypic correlation

coefficients

Genotypic and phenotypic correlation coefficients for different characters in all

possible combination were calculated with formula given by Miller et al. (1958).

Genotypic correlation coefficient (rg) =

Where,

Covg (xy) = Genotypic covariance between the characters x and y G~(g)x =

Genotypic variance of the character x a (g)y = Genotypic variance of the

character y

Phenotypic correlation coefficient rp = CT(p)y

Where,

CoVp(xy) = Phenotypic covariance between the characters x and y a2(P)x =

Phenotypic variance of the character x a2(p)y = Phenotypic variance of the

character y

The components of correlation coefficients of different yield attributes with spike

length per plant were partitioned into components of direct and indirect effects by

path coefficient analysis. Path coefficient analysis was done according to the

procedure stated by Sing and Chaudhary (1985) and Dabholkar (1992) which was

originally suggested by Dewey and Lu (1959).

32

In the present study, spike length was considered as resultant characters and the

nine yield attributes were considered as the causal factor. The following sets of

simultaneous equation were obtained depending upon the cause and effect

relationship.

liy = Piy + f 12P 2y + ij3P3y + r|4P4y + ri5P5y + r]6PCy + ri7P7y + r|8P8y+ ri9P9y

l*2y = 1*23? I y + ?2y + ^Psy + r25?4y + r26P5y + + r28P7y + ^Pgy + t*3()P9y

r.ly = r34P ly + r35P2y + ?3y + ^*36? 4y + ^37? 5y + r38P(;y + r39P7y + l'^Pgy + 1 Pyy r4y = r45P iy

+ r46P2y + r47P3y + P4y+ r48P5y + r49P6y + r50P7y+ r51P8y+ r52P9y +15y — ^56?ly ^*57P2y

^58P3y r59P4y + Psy + rf,oP6y J*6iP7y + lf>2P8y ^*63P9y+r6y = r67P,y + r68P2y

+ r69P3y + r70P4y+ r7lP5y + P6y +r72P7y + r72P8y+ i^Pyy r7y = r77P 1 y + r78P2y + r79P3y +

r80P4y+ r8jP5y + r82P6y + P?y+ rs3Psy+ r84P9y r8y = rS8P|y+ r89P2y+ r90P3y+ r9,P4y+

r92P5y+ r93P6y+ r94P7y+ P8y + r95P9y r9y = r99P|y+ I'iqqP2y” " 1" 101P3yr 102P4y ~

r103P5y^"

r104P6y^

rio5P7y+ P9y + 1106^'^

Where,

33

riy= Genotypic correlation coefficient between y and ith character (i= 1, 2,

3 ...... 9)

y = Spike length

Pjy = Path coefficient due to ith character (i = 1, 2, 3 ..................... 9)

1 = Plant height

2 = Number of leaves plant'1

3= Plant spread

4 = Number of side shoot hill"1

5 = Number of flower plant"1

6 =Flower size

7 = Stalk diameter

8 = Vase life

9 = Days to flower

Total genotypic correlation, between 1 and y, i. e. rly was thus partitioned as

follows:

P1y= The direct effect of 1 on y

r12 P1y= The indirect effect of 1 via 2 on y

r13 P3y = The indirect effect of 1 via 3 on y

r 14 P4y = The indirect effect of 1 via 4 on y

r15 P5y = The indirect effect of 1 via 5 on y

r16 P6y= The indirect effect of 1 via 6 on y

r 17 P7y = The indirect effect of 1 via 7 on y

r18P8y= The indirect effect of 1 via 8 on y

r19P9y = The indirect effect of 1 via 9 on y

After calculating the direct and indirect effects of the characters, residual effect

34

(R) was calculated by using the following formula (Singh and Chaudhary, 1985):

P2Ry= 1 - ∑Pjy riy

Where, P2Ry= R2

Pjy = Direct effect of the characters on yield

Rjy = Correlation coefficient of the characters with yield

Therefore,

Residual effect = -p2Ry

35

CHAPTER IV

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

This chapter comprises the presentation and discussion of the results obtained

from the experiment. The study was conducted to find out the performance of

gerbera genotypes. The result of plant growth and different characters has been

presented in Tables 2-6 and Plates 3-7 and experimental field view in Plate 1-2.

The analysis of variance revealed significant variations for all the characters

studied suggesting of genetic variation among the genotypes presented in

Appendix III.

Performance of gerbera genotypes variation was observed in respect of flower

type and color (Table 2.). The data presented in Table-3 revealed significant

differences amongst the genotypes for all the vegetative and floral characteristics

studied. Plant height ranged from 20.00-41.30 cm among the genotypes. The

tallest plant (41.30cm) was recorded in GJ-01 followed by GJ-08 (41.00cm)

while GJ-03 and GJ-05 produced the shortest plants (20.00cm).

The character number of leaves ranged from 17.33-41.67. The highest number of

leaves was found in GJ-02 (41.67) followed by GJ-1 1 (37.67) and GJ-13 (36.00).

There were other genotypes such as GJ-08, GJ-10, GJ-07, GJ-14 and GJ-15 also

possessed higher leaves. In contrast, the GJ- 04 (17.33) and GJ-01 (19.00) had the

lowest number of leaves.

The character plant spread ranged from 24.00-40.00 cm. The maximum plant

spread was found in GJ-11 (40.00) followed by GJ-02 (37.67), GJ- 13 (37.67) and

GJ-12 (36.27). There were other genotypes such as GJ-01, GJ-04 and GJ-15 also

possessed more plant spread. The genotypes,

36

Table2. Qualitative traits of gerbera genotypes Genotypes Flower types Flower colour

GJ-01 Spider Pink

GJ-02 Decorative Red

GJ-03 ' Decorative Orange

GJ-04 Single Koreans Deep Orange

GJ-05 Decorative Light yellow

GJ-06 Single Koreans Pinkish Yellow

GJ-07 Double Koreans Lilac

GJ-08 Single Koreans White

GJ-09 Decorative Light pink

GJ-10 Spider Yellowish orange


GJ-12 Spider Pinkish yellow

GJ-13 Decorative Deep yellow


GJ-15 Decorative Blood red

37

GJ-03, GJ-06 and GJ-10 had minimum spread. Among these genotypes, GJ-03

(24.00) had the lowest plant spread.

Number of side shoots hill'1 varied from 3.00-8.67 and GJ-11 (8.67) produced the

highest number closely followed by GJ-02 (7.00) and GJ-13 (7.67). The other

genotypes like GJ-01, GJ-04, GJ-08 and GJ-09 also produced considerably higher

number of side shoot hill"1. The lowest number of side shoot hill"1 among the

genotypes was GJ-15 (3.00) and GJ-03 (3.33).

38

Platel. Experimental field view under 50% shade net

Plate2. Part of experimental field view

41

Plate 5:

GJ-09

Flower variability in different gerbera genotypes (GJ-07, GJ-08 and

X

42

GJ-10

GJ-12

Plate 6: Flower variability in different gerbera genotypes (GJ-10, GJ-11 and GJ-12)

GJ-11

GJ-13

43

GJ-15

Plate 7: Flower variability in different gerbera genotypes (GJ-13, GJ-14 and GJ-15)

44

Number of flower plant'1 ranged from 10.00-31.00. The maximum number of

flowers per plant was counted in GJ-11 (31) closely followed by GJ-02 (30) and

GJ-13 (30). This might be due to their higher number of sucker and good

adaptability under field conditions. The minimum number of flower per plant was

counted in GJ-03 (10). The present findings differ with the findings of Nanjan

(1994) where the number of flowers varied from 40-55.

Considering flower size, the range was from 6.30-13.00 cm. Among the

genotypes, GJ-11 (13.00), GJ-13 (12.88) and GJ-02 (12.00) produced significantly

the biggest flower size closely followed by GJ-15 (11.85) and GJ-12 (10.70). The

genotypes, GJ-02, GJ-11 and GJ-13 produced flowers are decorative type (Plate

3-7). On the other hand GJ-01 (6.5) and GJ-07 (6.30) had the lowest flower size.

The highest stalk diameter was observed in GJ-02, GJ-13, GJ-04, and GJ- 11, GJ-

15 (4.2, 4.0, 3.9, 3.8, and 3.8cm respectively), while GJ-05 and GJ-12 produced

the shortest stalk diameter 0.90 cm and 0.8 cm respectively. The difference of

stalk diameter form 0.80- 4.2-cm, which was in agreement with the findings of

Negi et al. (1983) where they found 0.7-4.5 cm stalk diameter among the

different genotypes.

The vase life differed significantly due to different genotypes of gerbera. Among

the genotypes, GJ-02, GJ-11 and GJ-13 exhibited the longest vase life, these were

12.00, 12.00 and 11.93 days respectively and closely similar with GJ-04 (10.17

days) and GJ-15 (10.00 days) at normal room temperature which might be due to

the compactness of the petals. On the contrary, the shortest duration (5.00 days)

was recorded in GJ-06 and GJ- 10 (6 days) which might be due to their loose

arrangement of petals. The present findings more or less agreed with

Bhattacharjee (1981) where he

45

Table 3. Vegetative and floral traits of gerbera genotypes Genotypes Plant

height (cm)

Number of

leaves Plant spread (cm)

Number of

side shoot

hill'1

Number of

flower plant’1

Flower size

(cm2)

Stalk diameter

(cm)

Vase life (days)

Days to

flower Spike length (cm)

GJ-01 41.30a 19.00ef 33.50a-e 6.00cd 14.00de 6.50g 2.83b 7.00de 130.0abc 39.00bcd

GJ-02 25.33fg 41.67a 37.67ab 7.00bc 30.00a 12.00ab 4.20a 12.00a - 115.0cd 45.00a

GJ-03 20.00h 28.00bcde 24.OOf 3.33fg L0.00e 9.00ef 3.10b 9.00bc 119.0bcd 35.00de GJ-04 25.00fg 17.33f 33.67a-e 5.67cde 27.00ab 9.50def 3.90a 10.17b 112.0d 40.00bc GJ-05 20.00h 30.0bcd 29.00c-f 4.00efg 10.Ole 8.00fg 0.90fg 7.00de 124.0a-d 34.00e

GJ-06 29.00ef 28.67bcde 24.08f 4.33d-g 25.00ab 9.20def 1.50de 5.OOf 127.0a-d 39.00bcd GJ-07 32.00de 30.67 bed 26.67ef 4.00efg 15.00cde 6.30g 2.30c 9.00bc 135.Oab 34.00e GJ-08 41.00a 32.67abc 31.00b-f 5.00def 20.00bcd 1 l.00bcd 1.40ef 7.00de 122.0a-d 37.00cde

GJ-09 36.00bc 26.33cdef 28.00def 5.00def 23.00abc L0.00cde 1.50de 7.00de 138.0a 25.00g GJ-10 29.00ef 31.3 bed 25,00f 4.67d-g 25.00ab 8.833ef 2.20c 6.00ef 125.0a-d 29.00f GJ-11 23.00gh 37.67ab 40.00a 8.67a 31.00a 13.00a 3.80a 12.00a 118.0cd 41 .00abc

GJ-12 37.00b 21.67 def 36.27abc 4.33d-g 24.00ab 10.70b-e 0.80g 8.01cd 126.0a-d 37.00cde GJ-13 27.OOf 36.00abc 37.67ab 7.67ab 30.00a 12.88a 4.00a 11.93a 113.3cd 43.00ab GJ-14 33.00cd 30.67 bed 26.00ef 4.00efg 24.00ab 10.70b-e 2.00cd 9.01bc 125.0a-d 34.00e GJ-15 29.00def 28.3 bede 35.00a-d 3-00g 27.00ab 11.85abc 3.80a 10.00b 115 .Ocd 41. 00abc

Level of

significance

** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** * **

CV (%) 7.35 18.43 13.36 17.48 20.94 10.35 11.86 10.99 6.92 6.32

* Significant at 5% level ** Significant at 1% level

46

commended that gerbera flower remains in a good condition for 10-15 days.

The performance of gerbera genotypes for initiation of flower differed from 113-

138 days. The genotype GJ-04 was the earliest to flower (112 days) followed by

GJ-13 (113 days), GJ-02 (115 days) and GJ-11 (118 days) while GJ-09 was the

last to flower (138 days). The character spike length varied from 25.00-45.00 cm.

The longest spike was found in GJ-02 (45 cm) followed by GJ-13 (43 cm) and

GJ-11 (41 cm). There were other genotypes such as GJ-01 (36 cm) and GJ-06 (39

cm) also possessed longer spike. In contrast, the genotype GJ-09 had the shortest

spike (25 cm).

47

Variability, heritability and genetic advance for yield (spike length)

and contributing characters

The results of genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation, heritability and

genetic advance for yield contributing characters are presented in Table 4.

From the results, it was observed that the phenotypic coefficient of variation was

generally higher than the genotypic coefficient of variation for all the characters,

but some cases the two values differed slightly. Among the different characters,

number of side shoot hill'1, number of flower plant'1 and'stalk diameter possessed

more than 30% variation at phenotypic level. At genotypic level, number of side

shoot hill'1, number of flower plant'1 and stalk diameter displayed more then 29%

variations and maximum variation (46.29%) was found for stalk diameter. Low

genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variations were found in days to flower.

It was observed that the phenotypic and genotypic coefficients variation for days

to flower was lower than the other characters. It might be contributed by

environment. The difference between phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of

variation were minimum for plant height, stalk diameter and vase life which

indicated that variations for these characters were primarily due to genetic effects.

The phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variations were found wide range

for number of leaves, number of flower plant'1 and days to flower. The highest

genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation for stalk diameter were 46.29

and 47.86 respectively. On the contrary, the lowest was for days to flower 4.85

and 8.45 such variations might be due to difference of genetic materials used and

also the differences of environments where the experiments were carried out.

Variation was observed in respect of stalk diameter, vase life, number of flower

plant'1, number of leaves plants'1 and flower size were highly heritable characters

among the gerbera genotypes. Mahanta et al. (1998) found plant height, vase life

and flower exhibited greater genetic variability and high heritability coupled with

48

high genetic advance. Their results support the findings of the present

experiment. It was found that the highest heritability for stalk diameter (93.94)

and the lowest was for days to flower (32.96). It might be due to differences in

genetic background of the genotypes and the growing environment.

The genetic advance were also studied for the characters and it was observed that

number of leaves plant'1, number of side shoot hill'1, plant height, number of

flower plant'1, stalk diameter and vase life displayed high genetic advance.

Among these stalk diameter, vase life as plant height had also high heritability

estimates and number of flower plant'1 had moderate heritability. High estimates

of genetic advance associated with high heritability for stalk diameter, vase life,

number of flower plant and number of leaves, suggested that these characters

could be of worthy of selection. Mahanta et al. (1998) observed plant height, vase

life, and flower size exhibited greater genetic variability and high heritability

coupled with high genetic advance which are in the agreement of the highest

genetic advance for stalk diameter (92.61) and the lowest for days to flower

(5.74).

High genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation was also observed for

number of flower plant'1, stalk diameter and vase life. High genotypic and

phenotypic coefficients of variation as well as moderate to high heritability with

high genetic advance for number of flower plant-1, stalk diameter, and vase life

indicated that selection of gerbera genotypes

49

based on these characters would be effective. On the other hand, flower size

(30.29) had moderate and days to flower (5.74) possessed low genetic advance.

Among these characters days to flower was poorly heritable (32.96) and flower

size was highly heritable (78.73). The low genetic advance for days to flower was

mainly due to its low estimates of genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of

variation coupled with poor to medium heritability. Therefore, selection of

gerbera genotypes should not be effective based on this character.

Study of variability in gerbera genotypes indicated that the traits number of flower

plant stalk diameter, vase life and number of leaves were suitable for selection as

these traits possessed moderate to high variations, medium to high heritability

with high genetic advance. There fore, these characters may be of merit in

selecting for good performance genotypes.

50

Table4. Phenotypic and genotypic co-efficients of variation, heritability and genetic advance for different

characters in gerbera genotypes

Characters Genotypic co-

efficients of

variation

Phenotypic co-

efficient of

variation

Heritability (%)

Genetic advance

(% of mean)

Plant height (cm) 22.52 23.69 90.37 44.10

No. of leaves 19.77 27.03 53.48 29.78

Plant spread (cm) 15.67 20.63 57.99 24.65

No. of side shoot hill' 29.93 34.63 74.58 53.21

No. of flower plant‘1 29.01 35.77 65.71 48.43

Flower size (cm) 19.87 22.38 78.73 36.29

Stalk diameter (cm) 46.29 47.86 93.94 92.61

Vase life (day) 25.01 27.20 83.66 46.88

Days to flower 4.85 8.45 32.96 5.74

Spike length 13.81 15.19 82.66 25.86

51

Relationships between different characters

The relationships between different characters of gerbera genotypes were studied

through genotypic and phenotypic correlations and also path coefficient analysis.

The genotypic and phenotypic correlation coefficients between yield and

different yield attributes are presented in Table 5. In general, it was observed that

the magnitude of genotypic correlations was higher than that of phenotypic

correlations, indicating a fairly strong inherent relationship among the characters.

In many cases, the differences between genotypic and phenotypic correlations

were high, signifying the importance of environmental effects in estimating these

parameters.

It appeared from the results that, spike length was positively correlated with

number of leaves plant' , plant spread, number of side shoot hill"1, number of

flower plant-1 stalk diameter and vase life both at genotypic and phenotypic

levels. Among them, plant spread, stalk diameter and vase life positively high

significant with spike length. Misra et al. (1997) reported spike length was

significantly and positively associated with plant spread, vase life and, stalk

diameter in gladiolus.

The genotypic correlations of days to flower with spike length were negative but

its corresponding phenotypic correlations were positive. So, it was indicated that

this was due to the influence of environmental correlations among these traits for

getting positive phenotypic correlations.

It was observed that plant spread had the highest positive significant with spike

length in both genotypic and phenotypic number of flower plant'1 was positively

and significantly associated with flower size. Plant spread had a significant

positive correlation with number of side shoot hill"1 and number of flower plant-1

with flower size. So, plant spread would increase by the increasing of side shoot

hill-1.

52

Therefore, study of correlations among different characters suggested that number

of flower plant'1, stalk diameter, vase life and flower size were the most important

traits, which possessed significant positive association with spike length. So,

selection should be made for gerbera genotypes having long vase life, stalk

diameter, number of flower plant'1 and flower size.

53

Table 5. Genotypic and Phenotypic correlation coefficient among different characters of gerbera genotypes Characters No. of leaves

plant"1

Plant spread (cm)

No. of side

shoot hill No. of flower

plant'1

Flower size

(cm) Stalk diameter (cm)

Vase life (day)

Days to

flower

S 1 (

pike ength cm)

Plant height (cm) rg

rP

-0.39

-0.281

0.013

-0.014

-0.12

-0.052

-0.22

-0.041

-0.186

-0.165

-0.422*

-0.408*

-0.43*

-0.383*

0.732**

0.630

-0.241

-0.233

No. of leaves plant'1 rg

rP

0.172

0.213

0.471**

0.330

0.409*

0.072

0.623**

0.987**

0.334

0.189 0.507** '

0.078

-0.301

-0.221

0.271

0.231

Plant spread (cm) rg

rP

0.803**

0.567**

0.673**

0.404*

0.728**

0.462*

0.584**

0.446*

0.812**

0.557**

-0.735**

-0.355

0.760**

0.596**

No. of side shoot hill '* rg

rP

0.640**

0.431*

0.546**

0.373*

0.534**

0.492**

0.614**

0.485**

-0.461**

-0.218

0.501**

0.435*

No. of flower plant'1 rg

rP

0.866**

0.643**

0.527**

0.359

0.537**

0.402*

-0.743**

-0.185

0.469**

0.325

Flower size (cm) rg

rP

0.433*

0.361*

0.663**

0.529**

-0.831**

-0.429*

0.493**

0.385*

Stalk diameter (cm) rg

rP

0.834**

0.739**

-0.902**

-0.502**

0.663**

0.591**

Vase life (days) rg

rP

-0.919**

0.403*

0.679**

0.524**

Days to flower ra

rp

-0.987**

0.523**

* and ** Significant at 5% and 1% levels respectively; rg and»'P indicate genotypic and phenotypic correlation respective

54

The path coefficient analysis was performed using genotypic correlations to

determine direct and indirect influences of different yield contributing attributes

to spike length. Spike length being the complex of different characters was

considered as the resultant variable and plant height, number of leaves plant'1

plant spread, number of side shoot hill'1, number of flower plant'1, flower size,

stalk diameter, vase life and days to flower as causal variables. Estimates of direct

and indirect effect of nine yield contributing characters are shown in Table 6.

From this analysis, it was observed that plant spread had maximum direct positive

effect on spike length. The genotypic correlation of plant spread with spike length

was also high. Such high correlation with spike length was mainly due to the high

positive direct effect of plant spread and considerable positive indirect effects via

number of leaves plant'1, flower size, stalk diameter and days to flower. The other

traits like flower size, number of side shoot hill'1 and stalk diameter had also high

positive direct effects on spike length. These direct effects were the principal

components of their relationships with spike length. Anuradha and Gowda (2000)

studied on gerbera that the greatest positive direct effect was leaves plant'1 on

flower yield. So, the present experiment is dissimilar with the finding. Mahanta et

al. (1998) reported that the leaf area, girth of stalk, days to flower and bud

opening had high direct effects. So, this finding partially support the current

results.

Plant height had positive direct effect but its correlation with spike length was

negative. Such negative correlations might be due to the negative indirect effects

of plant height via number of leaves plant'1, number of side shoot hill'1 possessed

high positive direct effect on spike length. The genotypic correlation between

number of side shoot hill'1 and spike

55

length was also high. Such high correlation with spike length was mainly

due to the high positive direct effect on number of side shoot hill'1. Similarly,

vase life had also positive direct effect on spike length. The positive correlation

between number of side shoot hill'1 and spike length was mainly such positive direct

effect. Days to flower had negligible negative direct effect on spike length. It also

expressed negative genotypic correlation with spike length which was mainly through

the negative direct effect as well as negative indirect effects via leaves plant'1, number

of side shoot hill'1 and flower size.

56

Table 6. Path co-efficients of different yield contributing characters on spike length (yield) of gerbera genotypes

Characters Plant height (cm)

No. of

leaves

plant'1

Plant spread (cm)

No. of side

shoot hill ■‘ No. of

flower

plant*1

Flower size (cm)

Stalk

diamet er

(cm)

Vase life (days)

Days to flower

Total correlation on

spike length (yield)

Plant height (cm) 0.06 -0.02 -0.008 -0.15 0.04 0.07 0.4 0.004 0.001 0.3<

)1

No. of leaves plant'1 0.02 0.08 0.38 0.12 0.74 0.11 0.26 0.006 -0.008 1.708

Plant spread (cm) -.006 0.30 0.84 -0.33 -0.36 0.08 0.25 -0.003 0.0010 0.507

No. of side shoot hill '* 0.014 -0.01 0.40 -0.74 -0.36 0.09 0.37 0.006 0.007 -0.223

No. of flower plant'1 -0.003 0.08 0.44 -0.35 0.70 -0.08 0.24 -0.002 -0.003 1.217

Flower size (cm) 0.02 0.04 0.32 -0.29 0.26 0.23 -0.35 0.004 -0.004 0.2 3

Stalk diameter (cm) 0.04 0:03 0.32 -0.39 -0.26 -0.12 0.69 0.005 0.008 0.3:

23

Vase life (day) -0.002 0.05 -0.34 -0.55 0.16 0.09 0.41 0.009 0.75 0.577

Days to flower 0.005 -0.03 0.07 -0.26 0.13 -.05 0.3 0.34 -0.02 0.485

Bold figures indicate direct effect Residual effect = 0.32

Flower size had moderate direct effect with spike length. The positive correlation

with spike length was mainly due to positive direct effect accompanied by

positive indirect effects via plant height, number of leaves plant"1, plant spread,

number of flower plant'1 and vase life.

Therefore, path analysis revealed that plant spread, number of side shoot hill'1,

flower size and stalk diameter were related to spike length of gerbera genotypes

mainly through their direct effects. So, selection criteria including these

characters will give better response to the improvement of yield status of gerbera

genotypes.

CHAPTER V

SUMMARY

At experiment was carried out at the Floriculture Division, Horticulture Research

center of the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Joydebpur, Gazipur

during the period from September 2004 to March 2005. The study was

undertaken with a view to evaluating the performances of 15 gerbera genotypes.

Study of the variability, heritability and genetic advance for yield and its different

yield components characters and their interrelationship was made. The characters

as plant height, number of leaves plant‘1, plant spread, number of side shoot hill-1,

number of flower plant-1, flower size, stalk diameter, days to flower, spike length

and vase life.

The single factor experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design

(RCBD) with three replications. The size of the unit plot was 3m x 1.5m. Suckers

were planted on 2 September 2004 at a spacing of 30cm x 30cm. Form each plot

ten plants were randomly selected and marked for the collection of data. Data

were taken for number of leaves plant'1, plant spread, number of side shoot hill'1,

number of flower plant'1 flower size, stalk diameter, vase life, days to flower and

spike length. All collected data were statistically analyzed and the means were

evaluated by Duncan‘s Multiple Range Test (DMRT).

It was indicated by the mean performance that different genotypes were superior

for different characters. The maximum plant height (41.30 cm) was recorded in

GJ-01. GJ-03 and GJ-05 were recorded as the shortest plant (20.00 cm).

59

The highest numbers of leaves were found in GJ-02 (41.67). The genotype GJ-04

possessed the lowest number of leaves plant'1 (17.23).

The maximum plant spread was observed in genotype GJ-11 (40.00), whereas the

lowest plant spread was recorded in genotype GJ-03 (24.00). Plant spread was

significantly influenced the spike length.

Number of side shoot hill'1 significantly influenced the spike length. The

maximum number of side shoot hill' was recorded in GJ-11 (8.66) whereas the

lowest number of side shoot hill'1 among the 15 genotypes was GJ-15 (3.00).

The result showed that the effect of number of flower plant'1 on spike length was

statistically increased. The maximum number of flower plant'1 was counted in

genotype GJ-11 (31.00) and the lowest was in genotype GJ-03 (10.00).

It was recorded that the biggest flower size of the genotype was GJ-11 (13.00

cm2), On the other hand, GJ-01 (6.5 cm2) and GJ-07 (6.3 cm2) had the lowest

flower size. Flower size significantly influenced the spike length (yield). The

highest stalk diameter was recorded in genotype GJ-2 (40.20 cm) and the shortest

stalk diameter was in genotype GJ-12 (0.8 cm).

The vase life differed significantly due to different genotypes of gerbera. Among

the genotypes GJ-02 (12.00 days) and GJ-11 (12.00 days) exhibited the longest

vase life and the shortest duration of vase life was observed in genotype GJ-05

(5.00 days).

The performance of gerbera genotypes for flower initiation significantly varied

for different genotypes. The genotype GJ-04 was the earliest to flower (112 days)

while GJ-09 was the last to flower (138 days). The longest spike was found in GJ-

02 (45.00cm). In contrast, the genotype GJ-09 had the shortest spike length

(25.00cm).

From the results, it was seen that high genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of

variation were found for number of side shoot hill'1, number of flower plant'1 and

stalk diameter. Low genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation were

observed for days to flower.

Among the gerbera genotypes, it was observed that plant height, (90.37%),

number of side shoot hill'1 (74.58%), stalk diameter (93.94%), vase life (83.66%)

and spike length (82.66%) were highly heritable characters. Number of leaves

plant'1, plant spread and number of flower plant'1 had medium heritability

whereas days to flower had the lowest heritability (32.96%). Estimates of genetic

advance in percent of mean showed that plant height, number of side shoot hill'1,

number of flower plant'1, stalk diameter and vase life displayed high genetic

advance, days to flower showed the lowest genetic advance (5.74%).

It was observed that the magnitude of genotypic correlations was higher than that

of phenotypic correlations. Spike length was positively and significantly

correlated with plant spread, number of side shoot hill'1, number of flower plant'1,

flower size, stalk diameter and vase life. Among these positive correlations, plant

spread had the highest correlation with spike length both genotypic and

phenotypic level. Correlation at component level indicated that number of side

shoot hill1 was positively and significantly correlated with number of flower

plant'1 as well as spike length. Stalk diameter had positive and significant

correlations with vase life and spike length. Flower size had positive and

significant correlations with stalk diameter, vase life and spike length.

61

From path coefficient analysis, it was found that plant spread had maximum

positive direct effect on spike length. Number of side shoot hill -1 possessed high

positive direct effect on spike length. The genotypic correlation between number

of side shoot hill'1 and spike length was also high. Flower size and stalk diameter

had moderate to high direct effect. Vase life, plant height had low positive direct

effects on spike length. Days to flower had negligible negative direct effect on

spike length. Its genotypic correlation with spike length was negative which was

through negative indirect effects via number of leaves plant1, number of side

shoot hill' and flower size.

CHAPTER VI

CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATIONS

Conclusion

The following conclusion have been made on the basis of findings of the present

investigation:

• Fifteen gerbera genotypes have shown wide range of variabilities among

them for different component characters. The genotypes GJ-02, GJ-11 and GJ-13

performed better.

• The findings as a whole showed that performance of gerbera genotypes

help to select better genotypes for cultivation in Bangladesh condition.

Recommendations

• Among the fifteen (15) genotypes, GJ-02, GJ-11 and GJ-13 were

superior for their better vegetative and floral characters than other genotypes that

may be selected for commercial production.

1. Further studies may be carried out for selecting better gerbera

genotypes for production, in different regions of Bangladesh.

* f' ~

tr- 3? ‘

REFERENCES

Accati, E. G. and Jona, R.1989. Parameters influencing gerbera"cut flower

longevity. Acta Hort., 261: 63-68.

Amariutei, A. C., Alexe, Burzo, I., Fjeld, T. (ed.) and Stromme, E. 1995.

Physiological and biochemical changes of cut gerbera inflorescences during

vase life. Sixth international symposium on postharvest physiology of

omam. plants, Oslo, Norway, 17-22 June. Acta Hort., 405.pp. 372-380.

Anonymous. 1995. Agro-climatological data. Agromet Division, Bangladesh

Metrological Department, Joydebpur, Gazipur. pp. 35- 65.

Anuradha, S. and Gowda, J. V. N. 2000. Association of cutflower yield with

growth and floral characters in gerbera. Crop Res . Hisar. 19 (1): 63-66.

Aswath, C., Parthasarathy, V. A. and Bhowmik, G. 1998. Dry storage as an aid in

selection for longevity in gerbera. J. Omam. Hort., 1(2): 55-60.

Aswath, C., Parthasarathy, V. A. and Bhowmik, G. 1998. Role of biochemical

component in vase life of gerbera. Annals PI. Physiol., 12(1): 32-37.

Aswath, C., and Parthasarathy, V. A. 1984. Association Analysis in Gerbera. [In:

Floriculture Technology, Trades and Trends. (Eds.) Praskash, J. and K. R.

Bhandry.] Oxford and IBH Publishing Co. Pvt. Ltd. Calcutta, p. 438.

Benavente, R. M., Plaza, S., Garcia, J. L., Navas, L. M., Luna, L., Duran, J. M. and

Retamal, N. 1988. Localized heating in gerbera.

64

Horticultura, Revista Hortalizas, Flores, Plantas Ornam. Viveros. 129: 13-17.

Bhattacharjee, S. K. 1981. Studies on the performance of different varieties of Gerbera

jamesonii hybrids under Bangalore conditions. Lai Baugh. J. XXVI (3): 16-23.

Bose, T. K., Yadav, L. P., Pal, P., Pathasarathy, V. A. and Das, P. 2003. Commercial

Flowers. Vol-2. 2nd Rev. ed. Nayaprokash, Calcutta, India, pp. 163-202.

Brammer, H. 1971. Soil resources, soil survey project, Bangladesh. AGL: SF/Pck.6.

technical report. 3. p. 8.

Burton, G. M. 1952. Quantitative inheritance in grasses. Proc. 6th Int. Grassland Cong.

1:277-283.

Choudhury, S., Mahanta, P., Paswan, L. and Talukdar, M. C. 1998. Performance of

some gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii) cultivars under the agro climatic condition

of Jorhat, Assam. Hort. J., 11(1): 109- 114 .

Comstock, R. E. and Robinson, H. F. 1952. Genetic parameters. Their estimation and

significance. Proc. 6th Int. Congr. 1:284-291.

Dabholkar, A. R. 1992. Elements of Biometrical Genetics. Concept Publishing

Company, New Delhi, India, p. 431.

Dambre, P., Labeke, M. C. and Van Labeke, M. C. 1990. Assimilation lighting of

Gerbera on substrate. Verbondsnieuws voor de Belgische Sierteelt. 34( 5): 237-

239.

Dewey, D. R. and Lu, K. H. 1959. A correlation path coefficient analysis of

components of crested wheat grass seed production. Agron. J. 51: 515-518.

65

Doom , W. G., Veken, M., Baltker, M. L. and Van Doom, W. G. 1994. Effect of

dry storage on scape bending in cut Gerbera jamesonii flowers. Postharvest

Biology and Technology. 4(3): 261-269.

Dufault, R. J., Phillips, T. L. and Kelly, J. W. 1990. Nitrogen and potassium

fertility and plant populations influence field production of gerbera. Hort.

Sci. 25( 12): 1599-1602.

Eck, J. W., Franken, A. A. and Van, J. M. 1995. Colours of florets of

several gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii Bolis ex Adlam) cultivars measured

with a colorimeter. Euphytica. 84(1): 49-55.

Fakhri, M. N., Maloupa(ed.), E., Gerasopoulos(ed.), D. and Gerasopoulos, D.

1995. Effects of substrate and frequency of irrigation on yield and quality of

three Gerbera jamesonii cultivars. International seminar soilless cultivation

technology for protected crops in mild winter climates, Chania, Greece, 21-

22 Oct. (1993). Acta Hort., 408: 41-45.

Gagnon, S. and Dansereau, B. 1990. Influence of light and photoperiod on growth

and development of gerbera. Acta Hort., 272:145-151. Proceedings

International Symposium Bedding and Pot Plant Culture, East Lansing,

Michigan, USA, 29 Apr.-4 May, 1989.

Huang, H. and Harding, J. 1998. Quantitative analysis of correlations among

flower traits in Gerbera hybrida, Compositae. III. Genetic variability and

structure of principal component traits. Theoretical and Applied Genetics.

97(1-2): 316-322.Indian J. Agril. Res., 25(4): 194-198.

Jonson, H. W., Robinson, H. F. and Comstock, R. E. 1955. Estimation of genetic

and environmental variability in soybean. Agron. J. 47:314- 318.

66

Kaur, K., Gill, A. P. S., Kumar, R. and Kumar, R. 1996. Effect of modified

environments on plant growth and flowering production of gerbera. Madras

Agril. J., 83(11): 681-683.

Kiranjeet, K, Gill, A. P. S., Ramesh, K. Kaur, K. and Kumar, K. 1995. Growth and

flowering behaviour of gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii) in sub tropical region of

north west plains of India. J. Omam. Hort.,

3(1-2): 26-29.

Labeke, M. C. and Dambre, P. 1999. Effect of minimum heating level on production

and quality of Gerbera. Special issue: cut flowers. Verbondsnieuws. 43(20):

34-36.

Labeke, M. C. and Dambre, P. 1999. Supplementary light in Gerbera not always a

success. Special issue: cut flowers. Verbondsnieuws. 43(20): 27-29.

Leffring, L. 1973. Flower production in gerbera; Correlation between shoot, leaf and

flower formation in seedlings. Scientia Hort. 1: 221- 229.

Mahanta, P., Choudhury, S., Paswan, L. and Talukdar, M. C. 1998. Studies on

variability and heritability of some quantitative characters in gerbera (Gerbera

jamesonii). South Indian Hort., 46(1-2): 43-46.

Mahanta, P., Choudhury, S., Paswan, L., Talukdar, M. C. and Sarma, D. 1998.

Correlation and path coefficient analysis in gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii). Hort.,

J., 11(2): 79-85.

Maloupa, E. (ed.), Fakhri, M. N., Chartzoulakis, K. and Gerasopoulos, D. 1996.

Effects of substrate and irrigation frequency on growth, gas exchange and yield

of gerbera cv. Fame. Advances Hort. Sci., 10(4): 195-198.

67

Martinez, P. F., Abdel Fattah, Y. M. M., Maloupa (ed.), E. and Gerasopoulos, D.

1995. Effects of substrate warming in soilless culture on gerbera crop

performance under seasonal variations. International seminar soilless

cultivation technology protected crops mild winter climates, Chania, Greece,

21-22 Oct. 1993. Acta Hort., 408: 31-40.

Miller, P. A., Williams, J. C., Robinson, H. F. and Comstock, R. E. 1958. Estimates

of genetic and environmental variance and covariance and their implication in

selection. Agron. J., 50: 126-131.

Misra, R. L. and Saini, H. C. 1997. Genetic divergence in gladiolus. Indian J. PI. Gen.

Resources, 10(1): 249-254.

Nanjan, K. 1994. Gerbera as a cut flower. (In: Floriculture-Technology, Trades and

Trends Prokash, J. and K. R. Bhandry) Oxford and IBH Publishing Co. Pvt.

Ltd.Calcutta, pp. 70-75.

Negi, S. S., Raghava, S. P. S., Sharma, T. V. R. S. and Srinivasan, V. R. 1983. Vase

life of Gerbera. Indian J. Hort., 40: 102-106.

Ozcelik, A., Besiroglu, A., Ozgumus, A., Tuzel (ed.), Y., Burrage (ed.), S. W., Bailey

(ed.), B. J., Gul (ed.), A., Smith (ed.), A. R. and Tuncay., O. 1999.

Proceedings of the international symposium on greenhouse management for

better yield and quality in mild winter climates, Antalya, Turkey, 3-5

November, 1997. Acta Hort., 491: 425-432.

Put, H. M. C. 1990. Micro-organisms from freshly harvested cut flower stems and

developing during the vase life of chrysanthemum, gerbera and rose cultivars.

Scientia Hort., 43(1-2): 129-144.

Shaheed, S. M. 1984. Soil of Bangladesh: General Soil Types. Soil Resources

Development Institute (SRDI), Dhaka, Bangladesh. P.3.

Singh, K. P. and Mandhar, S. C. 2004. Performance of gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii)

cultivars under fan and pad cooled greenhouse environments. Jour. Appl. Hort.,

4(1): 56-59.

Singh, P. K. and Chaudhary, B. D. 1985. Biometrical Methods in Quantitative Genetic

Analysis. Kalyani Publishers, New Delhi, India, p. 318.

Steel, R. E. D. and Torrie, J. H. 1960. Principals and Procedures of Statistics. M. C.

Graw Hill Book Co. Inc., New York. pp.107-109.

Thangaraj, T., Rajamani, K. and Thamburaj, S. 1990. A study on the vase life of

gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii Bolus). South Indian Hort., 38(5): 265-267.

Tourjee, K. R., Harding, J. and Byrne, T. G. 1995. Early development of Gerbera as a

floricultural crop. Hort .Technology. 4(1): 34-40.

Tourjee, K. R., Harding, J. and Byrne, T. G. 1994. Complex segregation analysis of

Gerbera flower colour. Heredity. 74(3): 303-310.

Tourjee, K. R., Harding, J. and Byrne, T. G. 1994. Early development of gerbera as a

floriculture crop. Hort. Technol., 4(1): 34-40.

Wahi, S. D., Suman, C. L. and Bhattacharjee, S. K. 1991. Factor analysis

in Gerbera. Indian J. Agril. Res., 25(4): 194-198.

Wernett, H. C., Wilfret, G. J., Sheehan, T. J., Lyrene, P. M„ Martin, F.

G., White, T. L., Powell, G. L. and Wilcox, C. J. 1996. Postharvest

longevity of cut flower Gerbera. II. Heritability of vase life. J. Amer. Soc.

Hort. Sci., 121(2): 222-224.

69

Wernett, H. C., Sheehan, T. J., Wilfret, G. J., Marousky, F. J., Lyrene, P. M. and Knauf,

D. A. 1996. Postharvest longevity of cut-flower Gerbera. I. Response to selection for

vase life components. J.

Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci., 121(2): 216-221.

Ye, J. N., Wang, T. Z., Cai, S. Q. Komatsu, K, Mikage, M. and Namba, T. 1990.

Pharmacological studies on folk medicine in Sichuan province, China. II: on

Tu-er-fang derived from gerbera plants. J. Pharmacol, Soc. Jap., 110 (6): 374-

382.

CHAPTER VII

APPENDICE

S

Appendix I: Analytical data of soil sample of the experimental field Soil variable Content

pH 6.4

Total N (%) 0.83

OM (%) 0.91

Ca (meq/l00g) 5.2

Mg (meq/l0g) 2.0

K (meq/l00g) 0.15

P (ppm) 11

S (ppm) 14

B (ppm) 0.29

Cu (ppm) 4

Mn (ppm) 14

Zn (ppm) 1

2.0

Source : Soil Science Division, BARI Joydebpur, Gazipur

Appendix II: Monthly average temperature, relative humidity and total rain fa! of the experimental

site during the period from September 2004 to March 2005

Air Temperature (°C) Relative Humidity (%) Rainfall

(mm)

Year Month Maximum Minimum Maximum Minimum

September 29.55 24.55 90.65 78.35 562.20

2004 October 30.99 22.60 93.42 71.48 171.12

November 29.55 16.63 94.50 61.43 -

December 27.05 14.31 94.39 62.03 -

January • 12.33 24.04 92.26 66.84 -

2005 February 16.28 29.10 88.75 57.64 1.12

March 20.70 31.92 91.26 61.39 144.15

Source : Meterological Department, BARI, Joydebpur, Gazipur.

Appendix III. Mean square values of analysis variance of the data of vegetative and floral traits of gerbera genotypes

Source of

variation

Degree

of freedom (df)

Mean square values

Plant

height (cm)

Number of

leaves plant'1

Plant spread (cm)

Number of

side shoot

hill'1

Number of

flower plant'1

Flower size

(cm2)

Stalk

diameter (cm)

Vase life

(day) Days to

flower Spike length (cm)

Replication 2 78.254 4.467 10.088 0.156 108.970 27.342 0.054 0.70 47.272 139.31

7

Genotypes 14 140.163** 130.048** 89.182** 7.841** 147.679** 12.829** 4.276** 14.862** 179.232* 83.086

**

Error 28 4.814 29.229 17.343 0.798 21.878 1.063 0.091 0.908 72.422 5.429

* Significant at 5% level of probability ** Significant at 1% level of probability

Documents

PERFORMANCE OF GERBERA (Gerbera jamesonii L.) GENOTYPES MD … · Prof. Md. Ruhul Amin Co-supervisor Dr. Nazrul Islam Chairman PERFORMANCE OF GERBERA ( Gerbera jamesonii L.) GENOTYPES