Study on Crossing Ability of Annual Chrysanthemum Genotypes.

ABSTRACT

The experiment comprised of six genotypes viz., NAC-01-10, NAC-02-10, NAC-03-10, NAC-04-10, NAC-05-10, NAC-06-10 selected for petal colour and number of layers of petals to estimate pollen viability, in-vitro pollen germination, stigma receptivity and crossed seed set percentage to find out the crossing ability of genotypes. The present experiment was laid out at the experimental field of Horticulture Section, College of Agriculture, Nagpur, during 2010-11. Pollen viability of six genotypes of annual chrysanthemum showed a range of 69.69% to 86.66% viability, Percentage of germination on the day of anthesis ranged from 22.72% (NAC-06-10) to 66.66% (NAC-01-10). First day pollen pollinated on first day stigma showed 100% stigma receptivity in all six genotypes and the crossed seed set ranged from 61.60% (NAC-04-10 × NAC-05-10) to 92.00% (NAC-01-10 × NAC-04-10) among direct crosses whereas, the percentage ranged from 42.00% (NAC-04-10 × NAC-02-10) to 90.00% (NAC-05-10 × NAC-01-10) among the reciprocal crosses. All the six genotypes are highly suitable for their use as parents in crossing program.