Studies on genetic variability based on different morpho-physiological traits vis-à-vis diversity assessment of China aster [Callistephus chinensis (L.) Nees] genotypes

The present investigation was conducted to evaluate the genetic variability based on flower yield and different morpho-physiological traits of sixteen genotypes of China aster. The estimates of heritability (broad sense) varied from 73.24 to 99.01% for different traits under the study. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as per cent mean were recorded for the all characters except duration of flowering. The highest values of the genotypic correlations were observed as compared to phenotypic correlations for the studied characters. A significant genetic diversity was observed among the genotypes which were found to be distributed in 5 clusters. The genotypes belong to Cluster I and Cluster IV were the best performers for flower and seed yield per plant, respectively. Thus, heterosis breeding between these widely distant genotypes would be recommended towards higher flower and seed yield. Also the genotypes with superior traits can be utilized in hybridization to transfer desirable traits into a single genotype. © 2023, The Author(s) under exclusive licence to Society for Plant Research.