Genetic variability in seed and seedling traits of Jatropha curcas L.

Abstract

Twenty two Jatropha curcas L. seed sources representing the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan were evaluated to assess the genetic variability of seed and seedling traits during April to October, 2005 under statistically randomized block design with three replications to study the genetic variability of seed and seedling traits of Jatropha curcas L. The characters studied were 100 seed weight, seed length, seed width, germination percentage, germinative energy, seedling height, seedling collar diameter, number of leaves and seedling survival percentage. Genotypic variances were higher than the environmental variances for all the characters, thereby, indicating their importance for selection. The genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation was high for seedling survival percentage, seedling height and germination percentage. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance expressed as percent mean was observed for seedling survival, germinative energy, seedling height and germination percentage. The characters namely seedling collar diameter, 100 seed weight and seed width exhibited high heritability coupled with medium genetic advance expressed as percent mean.