Variability, heritability and genetic advance studies for yield and its components in castor (Ricinus communis L.)

Abstract

Assessment of genetic diversity was conducted using a set of forty genotypes of castor (Ricinus communis L.) grown in a randomized block design with three replications during rabi season 2015 at Pulses and Castor Research Station, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari. Analysis of variance revealed significant genotypic differences for all ten characters under study. The genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation was observed high for yield per plant, effective spikes per plant, capsules per primary spike, effective primary spike length and plant height up to primary spike. A high estimate of heritability was observed for days to 50 percent flowering, yield per plant, effective primary spike length, effective spikes per plant, plant height up to primary spike, capsules per primary spike, 100 seed weight and number of nodes up to primary spike.