Journal of Applied Horticulture. 2003: 5(2): 102-104

Estimates of genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance in strawberry

Verma, S K; Singh, R K; Arya, R R

National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources Regional Station, Bhowali, Nainital, Uttaranchal - 263 132, India.

Phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variability, heritability along with genetic advance as percentage of mean were estimated in 17 strawberry accessions, grown in 1997 in Bhowali, Uttaranchal, India, for 16 characters. Fruit length showed high coefficient of variation (104.56%). Percentage of plant flowering showed the maximum phenotypic and genetic coefficient of variations, followed by fruit volume, flower number, number of flower trusses per plant and flower disk diameter. Fruit weight, plant height, petiole length, percentage of plant flowering and fruit volume showed high heritability coupled with high genetic advance as percentage of mean, which indicated that selection can be made for improvement. The genotypic correlation coefficients were higher than the phenotypic correlation coefficients. This indicated little role of environment in the expression of genetic relationship. Fruit number per plant was positively and significantly correlated with fruit volume, fruit weight, flower disk diameter, percentage of plant flowering and number of runners per plant.