Genotypic Coefficient Of Variation Research Articles

Studies on Genetic Variability, Correlation and Path Coefficient Analysis for Yield and Yield Contributing Traits in Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

A study was undertaken to analyse the genetic variability, correlation and estimates path coefficient analysis of yield and yield contributing traits in twenty-eight wheat genotypes grown at BAU Agricultural Farm, ranchi during Rabi season of 2019-2020 in three different dates of sowing with an interval of 15 days which is considered as three environments E1, E2, E3. In this investigation the pooled analysis of variance revealed that the treatments were highly significant for all the characters. Wide genetic variation was observed among genotypes for plant height, number of grains per spike, 1000 kernel weight, days to maturity and flag leaf area. Considering genetic parameters, high genotypic co-efficient of variation (GCV), was observed for 1000 kernel weight (11.95), no of grains per spike (12.73), flag leaf area (13.74), spike length (15.83), grain yield per plant (17.64), no of effective tillers (18.38) Whereas, low GCV was observed for plant height (3.49), days to 50% flowering (1.46), days to maturity (2.54) and harvest index (6.90). In most of the cases, phenotypic variances were higher than the genotypic variances. Environmental variance is much higher in harvest index (35.64), days to 50% flowering (33.47). low environmental variance was observed in plant height (16.75), flag leaf area (10.29), days to maturity (13.93), no of grains per spike (14.07), spike length (0.49) and biological yield (35.64). High heritability with low genetic advance in per cent of mean was observed for plant height, days to maturity, days to 50% flowering & harvest index which indicated the involvement of non-additive gene action for the expression of this character and selection for such trait might not be rewarding. High heritability with high genetic advance in per cent of mean was observed for grain yield per plant (27.73), no of grains per spike (20.93), 1000 kernel weight (23.58) and no of effective tillers (27.91) indicating that these traits were under additive gene control and selection for genetic improvement for these traits would be effective. Biological yield had high positive and significant correlation with plant height, number of effective tillers and number of grains per spike. Path coefficient analysis revealed maximum direct contribution towards yield per plot with sheath length followed by grains per spike.

Root system architecture variation among barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) accessions at seedling stage under soil acidity condition.

Soil acidity in Ethiopian highlands impacts barley production, affecting root system architecture. Study on 300 accessions showed significant trait variability, with potential for breeding enhancement. Soil acidity poses a significant challenge to crop production in the highland regions of Ethiopia, particularly impacting barley, a crucial staple crop. This acidity serves as a key stressor affecting the root system architecture (RSA) of this crop. Hence, the objective of this study was to assess the RSA traits variability under acidic soil conditions using 300 barley accessions in a greenhouse experiment. The analysis of variance indicated substantial variations among the accessions across all traits studied. The phenotypic coefficient of variation ranged from 24.4% for shoot dry weight to 11.1% for root length, while the genotypic coefficient variation varied between 18.83 and 9.2% for shoot dry weight and root length, respectively. The broad-sense heritability ranged from 36.7% for leaf area to 69.9% for root length, highlighting considerable heritability among multiple traits. The genetic advances as a percent of the mean ranged from 13.63 to 29.9%, suggesting potential for enhancement of these traits through breeding efforts. Principal component analysis and cluster analysis grouped the genotypes into two major clusters, each containing varying numbers of genotypes with contrasting traits. This diversegrouppresents an opportunity to access a wide range ofpotential parentcandidates to enhance geneticvariablity in breeding programs. The Pearson correlation analysis revealed significant negative associations between root angle (RA) and other RSA traits. This helps indirect selection of accessions for further improvement in soil acidity. In conclusion, this study offers valuable insights into the RSA characteristics of barley in acidic soil conditions, aiding in the development of breeding strategies to enhance crop productivity in acidic soil environments.

Analysis of Fennel Breeding Populations Based on Distinctness, Uniformity and stability (DUS) testing via Morphological Descriptors and DNA Molecular Markers

AbstractA bred plant variety is a valuable tool for enhancing crop production and total yield. Recently, our breeding team developed three high seed yielding synthetic cultivars of bitter fennel. To characterize these newly breeding populations and differentiate them from each other and their parental populations, we conducted a Distinctness, Uniformity, and Stability (DUS) assessment using morphological traits evaluated over two consecutive years, as well as 20 Start Codon Targeted (SCoT) markers. The evaluation of morphological traits revealed that, five of qualitative traits exhibited monomorphism, while two other qualitative traits displayed polymorphism. Additionally, the investigation of eight quantitative traits showcased significant diversity. The Combined Over Years Distinctiveness analysis at a 1% significance level, based on eight quantitative characteristics, indicated distinctiveness for two breeding populations, namely Early and Medium Maturity Synthetic cultivars, compared to other populations. The Combined Over Years Uniformity analysis identified that all of the breeding populations and their parental populations were uniform in terms of the measured traits. The differences between Phenotypic Coefficients of Variation and Genotypic Coefficients of Variation were not particularly noticeable in the experimental material used currently. The majority of the measured traits showed high heritability, highlighting their stability over time. PCA utilized for quantitative morphological features, the first two principal components collectively accounted for more than 86.8% of the phenotypic variation. Subsequently, a dendrogram was constructed, which clustered breeding and parental populations into three distinct groups. The 15 SCoT markers produced a total of 164 extended fragments, with 139 (85%) of them showed polymorphic.The genetic similarity between the populations exhibited a range of 0.08–0.81, and cluster analysis utilizing Jaccard similarity coefficients and the Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Mean (UPGMA) technique revealed clear distinctions among the three breeding populations and their parental populations. Altogether, the findings indicate that morphological DUS descriptors effectively distinguish some the populations, while others with overlapping expressions cannot be discriminated. Notably, SCoT markers demonstrate a fine ability to detect distinctions among fennel populations, suggesting the possibility of utilizing them as a complement to morphological traits in the DUS test. As a conclusion, these three newly breeding populations of fennel are distinct from each other and from their parental populations, and they can advance for registration and seed purity testing.

Genetic Variability Estimation in Forty Pigeonpea Germplasm for Yield and Yield Attributing Traits

Aim: The present research aimed to estimate the genetic variability in forty pigeonpea germplasms for yield and yield-attributing traits such as initial plant stand, final plant stand, days to 50% flowering, primary branches, secondary branches, plant height, days to maturity, wilt incidence%, pod borer infestation %, 100 seed weight, number of pods per plant, yield (g/plot), yield (kg/ha).
 Study Design: study was conducted in randomised block desigh (RBD) design with two replications and spacing of 60 cm X 30 cm.
 Place and Duration of Study: The present investigation was carried out during kharif 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 at the research farm of Birsa Agricultural University farm located at Kanke, Ranchi.
 Methodology: Forty pigeonpea genotypes were studied to determine genetic variability. Pooled data over two years were subjected to statistical analysis for estimation of genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV), phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV), heritability in broad sense                                 (h2), and genetic advance as a percent of mean for fourteen quantitative traits such                                 as initial plant stand, final plant stand, days to 50% flowering, primary branches,                                  secondary branches, plant height, days to maturity, wilt incidence%, pod borer infestation%, 100 seed weight.
 Results: The PCV varied from 2.45% (days to maturity) to 30.83% [yield (kg/ha), whereas the GCV ranged from 1.12% (days to maturity) to 17.67% [yield (g/plot)]. Days to 50% flowering (6.39%, 4.48%), days to maturity (2.45%, 1.12%), and 100 seed weight (8.53%, 5.65%) all had low GCV and PCV value. The broad sense of heritability (h2) varied between plant height (16.9%) to days to 50% blooming (49.20%). Plant height (16.90%, 4.95%), number of pods per plant (21.10%, 9.95%), and days to maturity (20.90%, 1.05%) showed low heritability and genetic advance as a percentage of the mean, indicating ineffective selection.
 Conclusion: Genotypes showed high magnitude of variability for all the traits under study.

Genetic Variability, Correlation and Path Coefficient Analysis in Bottle Gourd [Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl.] Genotypes

The present investigation was carried out at the Experimental field of Urban Technological Park Habbak, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir during kharif-2022. The experiment was laid out in Augmented Randomized Block Design with three blocks and plant spacing of 2×1 m for seventy- seven genotypes including two checks, Pusa Naveen and Pusa Santushti. Observations were recorded for growth and yield traits, seed traits and quality parameters. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among genotypes for all the traits. The estimates of phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) were slightly higher than the corresponding genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) for all the characters studied indicating little influence of environment in the expression of these traits. The highest phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variation were observed for seed weight fruit-1 (45.15 and 45.13). High heritability coupled with high genetic gain was recorded for seed weight fruit-1 (0.99 and 93.01), indicating that the heritability is most likely due to additive gene effects and thus the chances of fixing this trait by selection are more. The estimates of heritability in broad sense were high for all the traits. Correlation studies indicated that fruit yield plant-1 followed by fruit weight, vine length, number of primary branches and number of fruits plant-1 had significant and positive correlation with fruit yield ha-1. Path coefficient analysis showed that fruit yield plant-1 followed by fruit weight, number of primary branches, node number at which 1st male flower appeared and fruit diameter had highest direct effects on the yield per ha-1.

Insights into Genetic Variability Parameters and Character Association among Agro-morphological and Biochemical Traits in Little Millet (Panicum sumatrense Roth. Ex. Roem and Schultz)

A set of 64 little millet genotypes was evaluated for their genetic variability parameters, principal components, and their contribution to total variance using seven agro-morphological and four biochemical traits in alpha lattice design with two replications. The mean performance revealed the presence of substantial variability for the characters studied. The phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) and genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) estimated ranged from 18.28% to 43.75% and 10.06% to 42.75%, respectively. Even though PCV was found to be significantly greater than GCV for the number of tillers, a slightly higher PCV over GCV was observed for all the other traits, suggesting a limited environmental influence for the majority of the traits. High heritability was observed for all agro-morphological and biochemical traits (84.00-94.00%), except for the number of tillers (42.00%), which exhibited moderate heritability. Genetic advance as a percentage of mean (GAM) was high for most of the traits, viz., days to 50% flowering, plant height, panicle length, single plant yield, test weight, grain protein, iron, zinc, and calcium contents. suggesting the predominance of additive gene action and the greater possibility of genetic improvement through simple phenotypic selection. Majority of the contribution towards the total divergence by days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, plant height, number of tillers, panicle length, single plant yield, and grain calcium content coupled with significant and positive correlations of majority of grain yield components with grain yield suggested that these traits are the key drivers of variability that could be exploited through a little millet improvement program.

Phenotypic plasticity of okra for yield and associated traits

Background: The genetic improvement of okra for the agro-ecological conditions requires adequate genetic background for understanding the inheritance of the traits and genetic control.Aim: To evaluate collection of okra accessions for their phenotypic plasticity and their relationships among tested accession.Setting: Field trail laid in a randomised complete block design of three replication.Methods: A total of 24 okra accessions were planted at Loskop Research Station in Limpopo province, South Africa, during the 2020 and 2021 cropping seasons.Results: The analysis of variance showed significant differences among the accessions for yield and related traits measured. The principal components analysis revealed 68.85% total variation. The genotypic coefficient of variance (GCV) was higher than phenotypic coefficient of variance (PCV) for all the measured parameters. The study revealed medium heritability for yield (33%), high (≥ 60%), for hundred-seed weight and number of fruits per plant. A positive significant correlation between grain yield and fruit yield per plant (r = 0.39) was observed.Conclusion: The study recommended accessions Acc No. 1859.2.3.1, Acc No. 1181.2.1.1 and Acc No. 1900.2.3.1 to be used as breeding lines in future okra breeding programme.Contribution: The accessions identified as potential parents for okra improvement programme, based on complementary agronomic traits could be used for direct cultivation by small-scale farmers and parental lines for breeding population.

Genetic Variability and Correlation Studies for Yield and Yield Attributing Traits in Mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek]

Background: Mungbean is one important short duration pulse mostly grown in South and Southeast Asia. The level of variability available in the germplasm influences how well a breeding programme would be productive. Understanding the nature and extent of genetic diversity in breeding material is greatly helped by estimates of genetic variability parameters and character associations. The current study aimed to study genetic variability and character associations in mungbean for yield and its attributes, pre-requisite for formulating an effective breeding programme. Methods: The present experiments were carried out with 107 mungbean genotypes collected from NBPGR (New Delhi) and AAU-Zonal research station, Shillongani. The genotypes were evaluated in randomized complete block design over two replications for yield and yield attributing traits at the experimental farm Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat during 2020-2021. Result: The traits like yield per plant, number of branches per plant, clusters per plant, pods per plant, plant height, 100 seeds weight and peduncle length exhibited a high to medium magnitude of genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) and phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV). Additionally, these traits showed high heritability and high genetic advance. The correlation studies revealed significant positive relationships between yield and all the assessed traits, with the exception of shelling percentage. The results of the path analysis indicated that a few traits, such as the number of pods per plant and the weight of 100 seeds, had a significant positive impact on seed yield. This suggests that when selecting for seed yield in mungbean, it would be advantageous to take into account these traits.

Genetic improvement of Egyptian cotton (Gossypium barbadense L.) for high yield and fiber quality properties under semi arid conditions

Between 2016 and 2018, the Agriculture Research Center's Sakha Agriculture Research Station conducted two rounds of pedigree selection on a segregating population of cotton (Gossypium barbadense L.) using the F2, F3, and F4 generations resulting from crossing Giza 94 and Suvin. In 2016, the top 5% of plants from the F2 population were selected based on specific criteria. The superior families from the F3 generation were then selected to produce the F4 families in 2017, which were grown in the 2018 summer season in single plant progeny rows and bulk experiments with a randomized complete block design of three replications. Over time, most traits showed increased mean values in the population, with the F2 generation having higher Genotypic Coefficient of Variance (GCV) and Phenotypic Coefficient of Variance (PCV) values compared to the succeeding generations for the studied traits. The magnitude of GCV and PCV in the F3 and F4 generations was similar, indicating that genotype had played a greater role than the environment. Moreover, the mean values of heritability in the broad sense increased from generation to generation. Selection criteria I2, I4, and I5 were effective in improving most of the yield and its component traits, while selection criterion I1 was efficient in improving earliness traits. Most of the yield and its component traits showed a positive and significant correlation with each other, highlighting their importance in cotton yield. This suggests that selecting to improveone or more of these traits would improve the others. Families number 9, 13, 19, 20, and 21 were the best genotypes for relevant yield characters, surpassing the better parent, check variety, and giving the best values for most characters. Therefore, the breeder could continue to use these families in further generations as breeding genotypes to develop varieties with high yields and its components.

Evaluation of Common Bean (<i>Phaseolus vulgaris </i>L) Cultivars for Yield and Yield-Related Traits at Sekoru District, South Western Ethiopia

The low productivity of common beans is attached to many yield constraints such as lack of improved varieties; poor management practices, biotic and abiotic factors. This study was conducted to evaluate the performance of improved common bean varieties for yield and yield related traits in the Sekoru district of the Jimma zone and identify high-yielding varieties for the study area. Eleven released and one local common bean variety were tested in two locations (Yero Sekoru and Inkure), using a randomized complete block design with three replications. Data were collected for 12 quantitative traits and subjected to analysis using SAS software. The interaction effect of genotype by location showed a highly significant variation for all traits except for plant height, dry biomass yield, and hundred seed weight. The phenotypic coefficient of variation was higher than the genotypic coefficient of variation for all traits. Higher The phenotypic coefficient of variation was recorded for 100 seed weight (52.78), pod length (28.9), pods per plant (27.63), harvest index (25.94) and seed yield (24.6) and also a high genotypic coefficient of variance (GCV) was observed for 100 seed weight (20.24) and pods per plant (20.34). Low (20) and high (93.5) heritability in broad sense were recorded in days to 50% flowering and dry biomass yield, respectively. At the phenotypic level, all traits had a positive phenotypic significant correlation with seed yield per hectare except for primary branches per plant day to 95% physiological maturity and hundred seed weight, while a negative significant correlation with seed yield per hectare was observed for days to 50% flowering. Genotypic path coefficient analysis indicates that the traits studied showed a positive direct effect on seed yield per hectare, while plant height, primary branches and secondary branches per plant, days to 50% flowering, days to 95% physiological maturity and 100 seed weight exhibited a negative direct effect. However, a positive direct phenotypic effect was observed for traits such as dry biomass yield, pod length, primary branches per plant, seeds per pod, and days to 95% physiological maturity. Among the varieties tested in both locations, the highest yield was recorded for the Ser119 variety (2865.2 kg/ha) followed by the Ser125 variety (2699.2 kg/ha). Therefore, recommending these varieties to farmers in the study area is very important to increase production and income.

Genetic Variability Analysis for Yield and Its Attributing Traits in Rice (Oryza Sativa L.) under Phosphorus-sufficient and Deficient Field Conditions

Aim: The present study aims to identify phosphorus deficiency tolerant rice genotypes under both phosphorus-sufficient and deficient conditions. Materials and Methods: Two kinds of fields (high and low phosphorus content) were selected based on their soil phosphorus availability. Hundred diverse rice germplasm was collected and planted in an augmented design along with four local checks namely, Swarna sub-1, MTU 1153, MTU 7029 and Uttar Sona. The data was recorded for 14 traits and subjected to different types of variability analysis. Place and Season of Study: The experiment took place at instructional Farm of Uttar Banga Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Cooch Behar, West Bengal, India during the Kharif season of 2021. Results: The variability analysis revealed that phosphorus uptake showed a high genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) under phosphorus-deficient condition and high phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) under both conditions. Grain yield showed high GCV and PCV under both the phosphorus conditions. Heritability was moderate whereas high Genetic advance as percentage of mean was observed under both the conditions for both phosphorus uptake and grain yield. Strong positive correlations were observed between days to flowering and various yield-related traits under both the conditions. Positive correlation was observed between phosphorus uptake and grain yield under phosphorus-sufficient condition, but a weaker correlation under phosphorus-deficient condition.

Assessment of the salt tolerance of diverse bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes during the early growth stage under hydroponic culture conditions

ObjectivesSoil salinity affects the growth of crop plants, leading to reduced productivity, and is a major challenge for wheat production worldwide. Various adaptations and mitigation approaches in combination with tolerant wheat genotypes can be useful for the sustainability of crop production in saline environments. However, the development of salt-tolerant wheat genotypes is one of the best and most efficient solutions for obtaining desirable yields. Considering these issues, an investigation was carried out under hydroponic nutrient culture conditions to assess the genetic variability and selection of salt-tolerant wheat genotypes by categorizing inequitable morphophysiological and genetic variability as well as multivariate analysis. MethodsTo meet the objectives of this study, 100 wheat genotypes were tested hydroponically in 0 (control) and 15 dS m−1 salt solutions. ConclusionFor all the wheat genotypes grown under saline conditions, the shoot length (SL), root length (RL), shoot fresh weight (SFW), root fresh weight (RFW), total fresh weight (TFW), shoot dry weight (SDW), root dry weight (RDW), and total dry weight (TDW) decreased significantly. Furthermore, significant variation was observed among the genotypes in terms of their characteristics only under saline conditions. In the case of genetic diversity analysis, a high genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV), phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV), genetic advance in the percentage of the mean (GAM) and high heritability (h2b) were recorded for all tested wheat genotypes based on the SDW, RDW and TDW. Correlation analysis for both genotypic and phenotypic relationships revealed strong positive correlations for TDW, SDW, TFW and SFW. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that TDW, TFW, SDW, and SFW were the most discriminative variables for the wheat genotypes, which was confirmed by discriminant function analysis (DFA). PCA-biplot analysis also revealed significant positive correlations between SDW and SFW and between TDW and TFW. Hierarchical cluster analysis was performed for ten clusters based on the relative performance of the genotypes, where the genotypes were characterized into salt-tolerant, medium-salt-tolerant, medium-salt-susceptible and salt-susceptible groups. Among the genotypes, G11, G25 and G29 under cluster VII were categorized as salt tolerant based on their outstanding performance in terms of characteristics only under saline conditions. D2 analysis proved that the wheat genotypes of this cluster were highly divergent from the other cluster genotypes; as a result, these genotypes might be utilized as parents in the development of salt-tolerant wheat genotypes. The current study concluded that SDW and TDW could be employed as criteria for selecting and defining salt-tolerant genotypes during the early growth stage of wheat.

Genetic variability and character association among maize (Zea mays L.) Inbred lines

Genetic analysis of variability, heritability and character association was studied among 25 maize inbred lines for eleven traits. The ANOVA indicated significant variation existed among the inbred lines chosen for the study for all the traits. Wide range of variability was observed for all the traits among them grain yield varied from 16.03 to 62.52 q/ha with an average mean value of 45.75 q/ha. Phenotypic variance was higher compared to genotypic variance and highest phenotypic variance was observed for plant height followed by grain yield. However, the difference between phenotypic and genotypic variance was very narrow for majority of the traits. Similarly, phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) was marginally higher than genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) and highest GCV and PCV was recorded for grain yield (37.03, 38.12) followed by ear height (24.12, 26.48) indicating that these characters are under genetic control have high potential for selection. The high amount of broad-sense heritability coupled with high genetic advance as a percent mean (GAM) was observed for grain yield (0.94 and 74.12) followed by number of kernels per row (0.90 and 32.88) indicating phenotypic based selection for these traits would be successful. Hundred grain weight had the highest genotypic correlation (0.834) with grain yield followed by number of kernels per row (0.623). Bangladesh J. Bot. 53(1): 57-65, 2024 (March)

Genetic Variability and Selection Parameters for Yield and Its Contributing Traits in Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L. em. Thell)

Ten bread wheat genotype and their all possible cross combinations excluding their reciprocals (10 parents+45 F1s+45 F2s) were evaluated in a randomized block design with three replications during Rabi2022-2023 at Student’s Instructional Farm, C. S. Azad University of Agriculture and Technology-208002, Kanpur, U.P to get the extent of variability and related parameters to select effectively for grain yield and quality character. It is the big challenge for researchers to get high grain yield with high protein. The data was recorded on fourteen characters viz., days to heading (50%), days to maturity, plant height (cm), number of productive tillers per plant, chlorophyll content, spike length (cm), number of spikelets per spike, number of grains per spike, weight of grain per spike (g), 1000 grain weight (g), biological yield (g), harvest index (%),protein content (%) and grain yield per plant (g). The variability among parents was highest for days to maturity it ranged from 117.33 to 137.67 with the mean value 126.60. The variation in F1 progenies was highest for plant height ranged from 85.97 to 120.53 with the mean value of 96.71.The variation in F2 progenies was highest for plant height ranged from 83.70 to 120.20 with the mean value of 94.99. The result showed higher estimated values for phenotypic coefficient of variability(PCV) of all the fourteen characters as compared to their corresponding genotypic coefficient of variability (GCV). Highest value of PCV and GCV were noted for grain yield per plantin both generation F1s and F2s except GCV were observed for none of the character F1s. high heritability estimates were recorded for all characters in both generation F1s and F2s.High genetic gain was observed for grain yield per plant followed by biological yield per plant in both generation F1s and F2s.

Genetic Variability Studies in Sweet Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor l.) Genotypes for Sugar and Biomass Related Traits

Sorghum bicolor (L. Moench) is an important crop in the semi-arid tropics of Africa and Southern Asia. Sweet sorghum is characterized by more rapid growth, higher biomass production, wider adaptation and greater potential for ethanol production. The present study was conducted to evaluate 33 sweet sorghum genotypes including two check varieties for different yield and sugar related traits. Analysis of variance revealed the presence of significant difference for all characters under the study. The genetic variability study revealed the presence of greater phenotypic co-efficient of variation (PCV) than genotypic co-efficient of variation (GCV) for most of the characters indicating the presence of the environmental effect. Stem girth, nodes per plant, biomass weight, cane weight, juice content and total soluble solids, total sugars were recorded high PCV and GCV. Plant height and cane height recorded moderate PCV and GCV. Except for plant height at 30 days after sowing (DAS)  all other characters plant height at 60 DAS, plant height at 90 DAS, cane height, nodes per plant, stem girth, biomass weight, cane weight, total biomass yield, juice yield, total soluble solids, total sugars, total reducing sugars and total non-reducing sugars showed high heritability estimates coupled with high genetic advance as percent of mean suggesting that, these characters are under the control of additive genes and phenotypic selection will be effective for these traits.

Analysis of Genetic Variability and Heritability in Brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) Genotypes

Analysis on “Study of genetic variability and heritability in brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) genotypes” was carried out at the experimental field of Division of Vegetable Science, FOH, SKUAST, Kashmir Shalimar during kharif season 2021 in Randomised Complete Block Design with three replications. The experimental material comprised of forty genotypes. Analysis of variance revealed that mean sum of squares due to genotypes for all the characters were highly significant, revealing significant variation among all the genotypes for all the traits under study. The phenotypic coefficients of variation were found to be higher than the corresponding genotypic coefficients of variation. The phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) and genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) in present experienment were high for the traits; average fruit weight (43.69% and 43.69%), total anthocyanin content (39.10 % and 39.10%), ascorbic acid (31.73 % and 31.73) and dry matter (42.31% and 42.29). Heritability in broad sense was found to be high for all traits under study (greater than 70 per cent). Highest genetic advance as percentage of mean was recorded in average fruit weight (90) followed by dry matter (87.11) and total anthocyanin content (80.55).

Genetic Investigation in Garden Pea for Yield and Quality Characters

An experiment was conducted to determine the magnitude of genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance as per cent over mean among twenty-two genotypes of garden pea using five quantitative and eight qualitative characters. The results of ANOVA showed significant differences among the genotypes for all the characters, indicating a wide spectrum of variability among the genotypes. The phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) was higher than the corresponding genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV). The high value of GCV and PCV was recorded for the weight of 10 green pods, the weight of seeds 10 green pods, Chlorophyll-A and Chlorophyll-B. All the characters showed a high magnitude of heritability in a broad sense (>60%), ranging from 86.68% (Pod yield per hectare) to 99.60% (Chlorophyll-A). Further, high heritability coupled with high genetic advance as per cent of mean (>20%) was observed for all the characters except firmness, suggesting that these characters are genetically controlled by additive (heritable) gene action and can be utilized for garden pea improvement through selection. This study has five promising genotypes: ‘Arka Apoorva, ’‘Arka Sampoorna, ’‘Arka Tapas,’‘IIHR-570’ and ‘IIHR-684’ which have been identified for higher yield, which can be utilized for further crop improvement program.

Studies of Genetic Variability in Sesame (<i>Sesamum</i> <i>indicum</i> L.) Collections for Morpho-Agronomic Traits at Werer, Ethiopia

Knowledge of genetic variability is necessary to develop a suitable breeding method for crop improvement. Thus, further information on the existence of variability in sesame accessions is needed to set appropriate breeding strategies and improve sesame in terms of yield and desired quality traits. Based on this concern, this research was conducted to estimate the phenotypic and genotypic variability, heritability, and genetic advance among sesame accessions. A total of sixty-four sesame (<i>Sesamum</i> <i>indicum</i> L.) Accessions were evaluated in an 8*8 lattice design with two replications in 2021 at the Werer Agricultural Research Center. The results of the analysis of variance showed that, except for the 50% days to emergence and the number of seeds per pod, there were statistically significant differences between the accessions for all traits. A relatively high (>20%) phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variation was estimated for the number of pods per plant, number of secondary branches per plant, seed yield, and biomass yield. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as a percentage of the mean (GAM) was recorded for thousand seed weight, number of primary branches per plant, number of pods per plant, biomass yield, and seed yield. The information and genetic variability obtained in the present study could be used to plant appropriate breeding procedures and develop genotypes with high productivity in future sesame improvement programs.

Exploring the Genetic Variability of Blackgram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper] Genotypes Over Environments

Background: The present investigation was carried out in 50 diverse blackgram genotypes during rabi 2021-22 in three different locations viz., Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai (E1), National Pulses Research Institute, Vamban (E2) and a farmer’s field at Vizhudhudayan, Ariyalur district (E3) for exploring the genetic variability of the blackgram genotypes over environments. Methods: The data on 10 quantitative traits viz., days to 50% flowering, plant height (cm), number of branches per plant, number of clusters per plant, number of pods per cluster, total number of pods per plant, pod length (cm), hundred seed weight (g) and seed yield per plant (g) were subjected to genetic variability analysis. Result: The traits viz., plant height (cm), number of branches per plant, number of clusters per plant, total number of pods per plant, hundred seed weight (g) and seed yield per plant (g) revealed a high phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variation, heritability and genetic advance as percent of mean. Hence, these traits may be given much importance during selection due to their additive gene action. These results might render yield enhancement in future breeding programs.

Assessment of Genetic Variability, Heritability, Genetic Advance, and Diversity Analysis for Morpho Physiological Traits in Finger Millet [Eleusine coracana (l.) Gaertn.]

The study, conducted during the Kharif season of 2022, aimed to evaluate genetic variability, heritability, genetic advance, and diversity for morpho-physiological traits in finger millet (Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.) using 39  genotypes. Significant genetic variation was identified for all studied traits through variance analysis. While moderate to high values of Phenotypic Coefficient of Variation (PCV) and Genotypic Coefficient of Variation (GCV) were observed for most traits, exceptions were noted for days to 50 percent flowering, days to maturity, relative water content in leaves, and chlorophyll stability index. The study revealed high heritability with moderate to high genetic advance as a percent of the mean for most traits, suggesting the prevalence of additive gene effects. However, chlorophyll stability index and relative water content exhibited lower values. D2 analysis indicated the existence of sufficient genetic diversity among the genotypes. The genotypes were categorized into five distinct non-overlapping clusters.  Cluster I, the largest cluster with 35 genotypes, displayed maximum intra-cluster distance. Clusters V and III had the highest inter-cluster distances, Days to maturity played a significant role in overall divergence. The findings suggest that a direct selection approach in finger millet landraces could lead to a substantial increase in yield response. This research provides valuable insights into the genetic characteristics of finger millet genotypes, offering a foundation for targeted breeding programs to enhance crop improvement.