Genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance studies in Marigold (Tagetes species)

Abstract

The present study was carried out to find out the estimates of genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance in marigold. The results showed significant differences among the genotypes in all traits. The phenotypic coefficient of variation was found to be higher than their corresponding genotypic coefficient of variation for all the characters. The high genotypic coefficient variation (GCV) was noted for flower yield per plant and high phenotypic coefficient variation (pCV) magnitude was observed for days to first flowering, plant height, stalk length, stem diameter, number of primary branches, number of secondary branches, number of flowers per plant, flower diameter, fresh weight per flower, dry weight per flower, flower yield per plant, thousand seed weight and yield per hectare, indicating the genetic control in the inheritance of these traits and selection pressure could be profitably if applied on these characters for yield improvement. High heritability (>60%) in broad sense was recorded for days to first flowering plant height, plant spread, stalk length, stem diameter, number of primary branches, number of secondary branches, duration of flowering, number of flowers per plant, flower diameter, fresh weight per flower, dry weight per flower, flower yield per plant, number of seeds per head, thousand seed weight and yield per hectare. Genetic advance as percent of mean was maximum (>20%) for flower diameter, fresh weight per flower, flower yield per plant and yield per hectare. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as percent of mean was observed for flower diameter, fresh weight per flower, flower yield per plant and yield per hectare which indicated that these traits are governed by additive gene action.