Genetic evaluation of cabbage hybrids under mid hill conditions of Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

The genetic parameters were studied to elucidate hybrid performance, genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance among 38 hybrids of cabbage. Experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications during Rabi, 2015–16 at CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur. The hybrids exhibited a wide range of variability for all the characters studied except head shape index. The hybrids SI-2008-09 × Glory1 (8.13 kg), II-12-4-10 × Glory1 (6.45 kg), IIICMS × Glory1 (6.28 kg), IICMS × E-1-3-1-2 (5.72 kg) and SI 2008–09 × GA(P) (5.41 kg) were found to be superior to check varieties Varun (3.74 kg) and KGMR-1 (4.17 kg) for marketable head yield per plot. These hybrids were also found to be superior in other component traits also. Phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) was higher than genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) for all the characters studied. High heritability combined with high genetic advance was observed for the characters viz., gross head weight, net head weight and marketable head yield per plot, thereby indicating the role of additive gene action in governing these traits. These characters should be considered for selection criteria for yield improvement in cabbage breeding.