049 LONG-TERM GENETIC IMPROVEMENT OF CUT-FLOWER YIELD IN GERBERA

The effects of long-term genetic improvement are measured by selection response predicted from estimates of narrow-sense heritability. However, changes of population mean must be partitioned into genetic and environmental components-in order to accurately estimate selection response. A long-term selection experiment for cut-flower yield in the Davis population of gerbera (Gerbera hybrida, Compositae) was conducted for sixteen generations. Breeding value was estimated for individual plants in the population using Best Linear Unbiased Prediction (BLUP). Genetic change was calculated from breeding values of individual plants in each generation. The results of this study indicate: the long-term selection experiment was successful and necessary for genetic improvement. Genetic change over sixteen generations was 33 flowers. Mean breeding values increased monotonously with an “S” shape pattern. Environmental effects fluctuated from generation to generation. Cut-flower yield in the Davis population of gerbera will continuously respond to selection.