Study on Genetic Variability, Heritability and Genetic Advance in Spinach Beet under Garhwal Region of Uttarakhand

Abstract

An investigation was carried out at the Vegetable Research and Demonstration Block, College of Horticulture, Veer Chandra Singh Garhwali, Uttarakhand University of Horticulture and Forestry, Bharsar Pauri (UK) during September, 2021 to evaluate diverse germplasm of spinach beet under temperate conditions of Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. The experiment was laid out in RCBD with three replications. In this study, fifteen genotypes including one check cultivar Pusa Harit were evaluated for different horticultural traits. Eight genotypes viz., Genotype-4, Arka Anupama, All Green, Palak Haryali, Genotype-1, Genotype-10, Genotype-2 and Genotype-7 performed better yield attributing traits and recorded higher than check cultivar. These genotypes need further testing to be released as a substitute of already existing spinach beet varieties or they can be involved in further breeding program for development of superior varieties in spinach beet. Genetic analysis indicated that phenotypic coefficient of variance (PCV) was higher than genotypic coefficient of variance (GCV) in all the attributes studied. The phenotypic coefficients of variance (PCV) and the genotypic coefficients of variance (GCV) were found high in total leaves weight per plot, the least was found in dry matter content. High heritability estimates coupled with high genetic gain were found highest for the character average leaves weight per plant and lowest for dry matter content, indicated that these traits are under additive gene effects and are more reliable for effective selection.