Genetic variability and heritability studies in red onion

Abstract

A trial was conducted to assess genetic variability and heritability in red onion germplasm with a set of 45 genotypes in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications at Instructional Farm of Vegetable Science, Department of Vegetable Science, Faculty of Horticulture, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola during rabi 2022-23. The analysis of variance revealed that mean square due to genotypes was significant for all traits. A wide range of variation was also observed for important yield components. The magnitude of PCV was higher than corresponding GCV for all the characters studied. Maximum GCV and PCV was observed for bolting and double bulb, while high heritability was observed for total yield/ha, days to maturity, average bulb weight, polar bulb diameter, bolting and bulb shape index. Genetic advance expressed as per cent of mean was high for total yield/ha, double bulbs and bolting. High heritability values along with high expected genetic advance over mean was noticed for the characters viz., bolting and total yield/ha, suggested that the predominance of additive gene action indicating better scope for improvement of these traits by an effective selection programme.