Genetic variability of banana (Musa spp.) in west coastal zone of India

Abstract

The investigation was carried out to assess growth, yield performance and the extent of genetic variation in thirty banana genotypes found in West Coastal Zone of India for fourteen characters. The genotypes showed substantial variation and the PCV was found greater than GCV for all the characters studied. High heritability in broad sense (h 2 b ) coupled with high genetic advance (GAM) was noticed for ‘number of living leaves at harvest’ and ‘fruit peel thickness’ indicating the role of additive gene action. The important yield characters viz ., bunch and fruit weight with high PCV, GCV, heritability and moderate to high GAM were proved as the primary selection criteria. The genomic group AAA was found better than others in both yield and quality characters at a time. The genotypes ‘Pache Bontha Bathesa’ (ABB) and ‘Udhayam’ (ABB) were found high yielding but considering quality characters, ‘Grand Naine’ (AAA) was found as the best in ecological conditions of the West Coastal Zone of India.