Genetic variability studies in Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae L.)

Forty cultivars of Bird of Paradise genotypes were studied for genetic variability. The parameters leaf width and flower length had low estimate of genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) (9.67 and 4.87) and phenotypic (PCV) (11.99 and 9.37), respectively, indicating low genetic variability in germplasm stock studied. Moderate estimates of GCV and PCV were recorded for plant height (15.46 and 15.89), leaf length (16.24 and 19.10), stalk length (16.38 and 23.24), stem girth (14.77 and 21.52), suggesting the traits are more sensitive to environmental effects and their expression depends more on non-genetical factors. The PCV and GCV were recorded high for number of leaves (25.37 and 26.13), number of bracts (21.40 and 28.19), number of flowers per clump (20.57 and 28.64) indicating the existence of wide range of genetic variability,. The narrow difference between the GCV and PCV were recorded for all characters, indicating the lesser influence of the environment in the expression of these traits and presence of strong inherent association. High heritability estimates were observed for plant height (94.77), leaf length (72.32), number of leaves (94.29) and leaf width (65.01) indicating the predominance of additive gene component. The number of flowers per plant exhibited highly significant and positive association with plant height and number of leaves, suggesting the possibility of indirect selection of this trait. The quality traits can be improved through the selection of these characters i.e., stalk length, stem girth and number of bracts. The highest inter cluster distance was observed between cluster III and IX (193.01) and the lowest between cluster VIII and X (19.70). The highest intracluster distance was observed in cluster II (18.13) and lowest in cluster VII (11.05). So, by intercrossing the divergent genotypes, i.e., with maximum intercluster distance, we can utilize hidden variability and produce good recombinations in advancing generations.