Correlation and Path-Coefficient Analysis in Gladiolus

Correlation and path coefficient analysis were carried out on 26 genotypes of gladioli. The number of florets per spike showed highly significant positive corelation with plant height, size of first floret, length of rachis, length of spike and duration of flowering while significant positive correlation with maximum number of florets remain open at a time, width of third leaf and size of corm which indicated that single plant selection would be more effective for gladiolus improvement. However, a significant negative correlation of number of corms per plant and number of spikes per plant was observed with number of florets per spike. The maximum positive direct effect on number of florets per spike was shown by days to first floret showing colour followed by duration of flowering, length of rachis and days to spike initiation, while maximum negative direct effect was shown by days to first floret opening.