Morphological assessment to predict genetic variability for leaf yield and leaf yield related traits in 52 genotypes of Moringa (Moringa oleifera L.)

Abstract

Moringa (Moringa oleifera L.) grown mostly for pod production but now a days moringa is gaining popularity for leaf production purpose due to its immense medicinal properties of leaves which can be incorporated in our daily diet in different forms. So, identification and selection of leafy type genotype is imperative. Analysis of variance related to growth, leaf and leaf yield traits indicated considerable variability among fifty-two genotypes. Magnitude of phenotypic coefficient of variation was higher than genotypic coefficient of variation for all the traits under study, indicated influence of environment on their expression. All the leaf yield traits recorded high genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation, indicating higher range of variability for these traits and simple selection would be effective.  The heritability was recorded high for all growth and leaf yield related traits ranged from 60.74 to 99.89% except no. of primary rachis/leaf (moderate heritability-35.66%), suggested that selection based on phenotypic expression effective for improvement of all high heritable traits. The estimates of genetic advance as per cent mean value was high for all growth and leaf yield related traits except edible per cent of leaf and no. of primary rachis/leaf, revealed additive gene action and selection approach will be helpful for improvement of these characters. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance were reported for stem length, whole leaf weight/shoot and edible leaf weight/shoot which revealed that these characters are under additive gene action and higher responses of these trait towards selection.