A POST-HARVEST STUDY OF GENETIC DIVERGENCE IN CUT ROSES

Abstract

Thirty two varieties of cut flower roses were evaluated for their post- harvest quality parameters. There was wide variability for water uptake, vase life, weight loss, and flower diameter. The heritability estimates of all the four traits were high and of the same order. Water uptake had moderate correlation with vase life and weight loss. Vase-life was negatively correlated with the flower diameter. Loss in flower weight and vase life had significant genetic but non-significant phenotypic correlations. The 0 2 values were significant among the 32 cultivars, which were grouped into eight clusters. For vase life, the varieties in clusters IV (Angelique, Golden Times, Raja Surender Singh of Nalagarh. and Sandra) and VIII (Sonia Mielland) were the best. On the other hand varieties of cluster VI (Raja Ram Mohan Roy and Jawani) had shown the highest flower diameter.