Genetic Variability Analysis, Correlation Coefficient and Path Coefficient Analysis of Dahlia (Dahlia variabilis L.) Varieties in Saurashtra Region of Gujarat, India

Identification of genotypes better suited for particular region and their improvement is of immediate task to exploit their full potential. The improvement can be brought out after confirming the association among the most important growth with quality attributes. Hence, varietal evaluation becomes necessary to find out suitable variety for a particular region. Experiment was conducted with 20 different decorative types of dahlia varieties at Jambuvadi Farm, College of Horticulture, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh which falls under South Saurashtra Agro-climatic Zone during 2021-22. The analysis of variance revealed significant differences among the genotypes for eleven characters in dahlia viz., plant height, number of leaves per plant, number of branches per plant, stem girth, days taken to first bud initiation, diameter of flower, stalk length, vase life, anthocyanin content, chlorophyll content and flower yield which indicated the existence of variability in the experimental material. The estimates of genotypic (σ2g) and phenotypic variances (σ2p) of each character were carried out.