Estimates of Variability, Heritability, Genetic Advance for Yield and its Quality Traits in Onion (Allium cepa L.) Genotypes

The present investigation to estimate genetic variability was carried out with forty genotypes of onion which were collected from different locations of Karnataka and were evaluated for growth yield and quality traits. Among all the genotypes studied, Gadag Local exhibited highest plant height at 30 DAT (34.20 cm), 50 DAT (43.46) and 90 DAT (51.76 cm), highest number of leaves were produced by Nasik Red at 50 DAT (9.40 cm) and Savalagi Local at 90 DAT (13.53 cm), Sathara Local exhibited highest equatorial diameter (4.54 cm). highest total soluble solids (15.03%) was recorded by Gadag Local. Kalasakoppa Local produced highest dry matter (20.16%) and B-780 took less number of days to maturity (100days), Bilagi Local had highest polar diameter (4.93 cm). The high GCV and PCV was observed for ten bulb weight and leaf diameter respectively. High estimates of heritability coupled with high genetic advance as percent of mean was observed for ten bulb weight and Total yield(q/ha) Hence, for future onion improvement, these well performing genotypes can be subjected to selection and also used as parents in hybridization programme to obtain varieties/hybrids with desirable quality and higher yield.