Received: 13-07-2017 / Accepted: 19-12-2017
Genetic variability of the initial materials is considered as the prequistie to generate the genetic variation for the selection process. Twenty-five gladiolus accessions were grown at Gia Lam-Ha Noi in 2015-2016 Winter-Spring season to study genetic variation of traits and direct and indirect attributes affecting flower quality for selection of parents for breeding. The experiment was designed in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Analysis of genetic divergence using morphological characters devided the gladiolus accessions into 4 groups, of which 13 genotypes of groups II and III showed high flower quality without leaf scorch symptoms. All traits had high heritability (79.6-99.7%) and the expected genetic advance varied from 0.38 to 66.53%. Leaf length, diameter of spike can be improved by cultivation practices. Length of leaf and leaf numbers were positively correlated with the length and diameter of the spike.