Variation and correlation analysis of florescence and main ornamental traits of Chrysanthemum × morifolium Ramat. varieties

Using natural and hybrid populations of chrysanthemum as experimental materials, we analyzed the variation characteristics and correlations of florescence and ornamental characters among different varieties, then compared and analyzed the results to provide a basis for screening hybrid parents and breeding good varieties of early-flowering chrysanthemums. Results showed that the coefficients of variation of the eight traits in the natural chrysanthemum population were higher than 15%, except for flowering stage traits. Analysis showed a significant negative correlation between flowering stage and number of stem leaves. There was a highly significant negative correlation between flowering duration and flowering stage, and a highly significant positive correlation between flowering duration and number of ray flower turns. Among the eight traits in the hybrid populations, the coefficients of variation were higher than 15%, except for flowering traits, but the coefficients of variation for florescence traits of each hybrid population were also significantly higher than that of the natural population. Compared with other hybrid populations, the petal types and flower colors of hybrid populations Ⅲ and Ⅴ were more abundant, with earlier flowering stages. Analysis showed a highly significant negative correlation between flowering stage and petal type, number of ray flower turns, and number of stem leaves, and a significant negative correlation between flowering stage and flower color. There was a highly significant positive correlation between flowering duration and number of tubular flower turns and number of tubular flowers, a highly significant negative correlation between flowering duration and petal type, and a significant negative correlation between flowering duration and flower color. There was a highly significant positive correlation between flowering stage and flowering duration. Therefore, progeny plants with wider variation in flowering stage can be obtained through sexual hybridization, with new chrysanthemum varieties showing earlier flowering. Early flowering parents can be selected according to the characteristics of fewer leaves, more ray flower turns, petals close to flat petals, and flower color close to orange and pink lines. Sexual hybridization with varieties exhibiting better flower type and color can be carried out to obtain better early flowering varieties of Chrysanthemum with stable flowering stage from late September to early October.