Identification of superior chrysanthemum genotypes based on phenological traits and postproduction longevity

Chrysanthemum is one of the most important ornamental and medicinal plants in the world. In this study، diversity among 50 genotypes of chrysanthemum morifolium was analyzed using phenologic and morphologic traits. The variation between studied genotypes showed a significant difference for all traits and coefficient of genetic variations for most traits was greater than 40%. The highest general heritability belonged to days to bud coloring (h2=90. 59%) and post-production longevity (h2=88. 3%). The lowest heritability (h2=6. 05%) was related to disc floret opening. In multiple linear stepwise regression for flower longevity as the dependent variable، such traits as number of days to bud coloring، days to full bloom and pollen shed entered the model. Therefore، vegetative growth period and behavior of florets affect post-production longevity. On the other hand، cluster analysis according to the morphological traits using Ward method classified all the studied genotypes into six groups. In this classification، two genotypes of “Afrooz” and ‘Unknown1’، with short vegetative period، late pollen shed and high post-production longevity were classified into a separate cluster. The findings of this research showed that the studied Chrysanthemum genotypes have desirable genetic potential، and depending on the objectives، most of them could be used in breeding programs to improve different traits.