Genetic and phenotypic correlation for breeding relevant traits in Dianthus caryophyllus L.

Indirect selection is a useful tool for the selection of complex traits like vase life (VL) of cut carnations. Our objective, therefore, was to assess the relative merit of indirect selection compared to direct selection. Phenotypic and genetic correlations were calculated for traits such as VL, flower diameter (FD) of standard carnation, stem length (SL) and count of flowers (CF) in mini carnations, phenotyped in three different experiments. The experiments are special in that some traits are measured in a second phase. Data were analyzed by bivariate mixed models considering in which phase the trait was measured. Some relevant genetic correlations were found in VL and FD and the traits SL and CF, but our results indicate that indirect selection would show no benefit compared to direct selection. However, the combination of direct and indirect selection could improve breeding of long-lasting cut carnations.