Genetic variability with respect to floral traits in dahlia

Mean performance of 18 dahlia genotypes indicated that Monarch Sport was the earliest in bearing large size flowers with longest ornamental crop duration and average number of flowers, while Gloriosa Samalatal (pompon) produced maximum number of flowers of smallest size with average bloomlife. Kenya White followed by Kenya Gerua had largest flower with late flowering habit. The coefficient of variation both at genotypic and phenotypic levels was maximum for flower number with high heritability and genetic advance. Also high estimates of these parameters for ornamental crop duration, diameter of main flower, number of ray florets in main flower, and length and width of petal were of great value in improvement of dahlia.