Determining genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance for mineral concentration in cabbage heads (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.)

Abstract

Information on genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance helps in devising appropriate breeding strategy for improvement of various quantitative and qualitative traits. In the present study nine genotypes of cabbage were used to determine genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance. Highly significant differences among the genotypes indicated the existence of adequate amount of variability. Mineral concentration differed 1.79 fold for sodium, 3.01 fold for potassium, 1.84 fold for calcium, 1.47 fold for manganese, 1.72 fold for copper, 2.52 fold for zinc, 2.26 fold for iron and 2.21 fold for cobalt. High ratio of Vg/Vp for Iron, zinc, potassium and sodium specify that major portion of variations among different minerals is due to heritable factors. Modest differences in GCV and PCV specify lesser influence of environment for accumulation of mineral content in cabbage head. Genetic advance as percentage of mean varied from 31.40% for manganese to 96.75% for sodium content. The information on variability, heritability and genetic advance indicates that improvement for mineral content in cabbage can be achieved using plant breeding approaches.